“Addictive”

A project-based learning activity for IB Psychology students

What is Project-Based Learning?

Project Based Learning is a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an engaging and complex question, problem, or challenge.

Elements of PBL

Key Knowledge, Understanding,

and Success Skills

Challenging Problem or Question

Sustained Inquiry Authenticity

Student Voice & Choice Reflection Critique &

Revision Public Product

Project Concept: ‘Addictive’

Substance abuse, obesity, and addictive behavior is a topic under the IB Psychology curriculum. The aim of this project is to expand on the well-known concept of ‘addiction’ to focus on ‘addictive behaviors’: what are their underlying causes, and what are the counter approaches. Students have to understand the biological, cognitive, and sociocultural factors leading to addictive behaviours in their local context and the preventive and curative approaches to counter them. They learn content from psychology, social science, and brain science. The project ends with a digital video. The format of the video can vary from documentary style to animation. An additional product is a personal narrative of personal addictive behaviours and strategies to counter them.

Project Details

Age group16-18 years

Time period1 month

Individual/GroupGroup

SubjectsPsychology (Primary) Social Science, Biology (Connected)Design and Technology (Applied)

Group Size4-6 members

21st Century SkillsCollaborationCommunicationCritical thinkingCreativityInformation, media, and technology skillsMulti-disciplinary theme

Connection to CurriculumIB Psychology

Learning Outcomes

� Explain factors related to the development of substance abuse OR overeating and obesity, in your local context

� Examine approaches to counter substance abuse OR overeating and obesity, both preventive and curative, in your local context

� Apply methods of qualitative research in psychology, such as interviews and case studies

� Reflect on addictive behaviors we can observe in ourselves, making connections to the cases and interviews you analysed. Discuss strategies to counter those behaviours.

Essential Questions

� What are the factors that lead to substance abuse OR overeating and obesity, in your local context?

� How does your local context deal with substance abuse OR overeating and obesity, both preventive and curative?

� Once we understand addictive behaviour better, what behaviours can we identify in ourselves?

Products

� Video on addictive behaviours incorporating the learnings. The duration should be between 2-6 minutes.

� Personal narrative of 1000 words on your understanding of addictive behaviour, some behaviours you’ve identified in yourself, and how you can change them.

Assessment

� Rubrics to evaluate storyboards, movies, narratives, and presentations of learning.

� Public critique or awards for the movies

Milestones

Topic introduction by

mentor

Choosing topic

(substance abuse OR

overeating and obesity)

and focus

Research phase

(applying qualitative methods of

interviews and case studies)

Sharing of stories and feedback

(storyboard draft)

Reflection and discussion on

personal addictive

behaviours

Producing the video

(includes storyboarding, making, etc.)

Peer feedback and revision on

draft

Personal narratives submission

Public showing (school

viewing / professional

viewing)

Why this topic, and deeper learning opportunities

This activity exposes the students to personal encounters with those suffering from addictive behaviours and their journey. It also gives the students a chance to reflect on their own addictive behaviours or potential for and how they could counter them. It not only teaches content from social science and science, but has personal application in their growth and development.

Know More

1. About PBL: bie.org/about/what_pbl2. IB Psychology: www.ibo.org/programmes/