PROJECT BASED LEARNING

Introduction

• Project Based Learning - Explained

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMCZvGesRz8

The PBL Plan

MAP

STUDENT

INTEREST

IDENTIFY

STUDENT

PRODUCTs

DEVELOP

PROJECT

IDEA

SELECT

CONTENT

STANDARDS

PLAN

CULMINATING

EVENT

DEVELOP A

DRIVING

QUESTION

DEVELOP

AN ENTRY

EVENT

Project Overview Planner

Project Overview Planner

Feedback and Revision

Essential Features

• Broad to include multi-disciplinary content

• Authentic and engaging

• Linked to real problems and challenges

• Important to society

• Linked to curriculum goals and student interest

• STEM – include elements of design

Purpose

• Focus of a project

Project Idea

• Current Events

• Local needs or problems

• Industry Focus

• Campus Based

Project Idea Examples

Essential Features

• Survey student interest, concerns, and issues

• Draw attention to local campus needs & opportunities

• Allow for student voice

• Promote gender equity

• Promote cultural awareness

Purpose

• To ensure motivation, interest, and project buy-in

Mapping Student Interest

Essential Features

• Broad to include multi-disciplinary content

• Multiple products within each project

• Linked to real problems and challenges

• Important to society

• Linked to curriculum goals and student interest

• STEM – include elements of design

Purpose

• Deliverables of a project

Student Products

Essential Features

• Specific targets across multiple disciplines

• Scaffolded across rubrics and activities

• Used as criteria for developing content

rubrics

• Include elements of design

Purpose

• To align to curriculum and standards

Content Targets

Content Target Examples

• TEKS

• College and Career Readiness

• National Standards

• End of Course

• Industry Standards (MILSPEC, IEEE)

• Locally developed standards

• International Baccalaureate (IB)

• Dual Credit Syllabi – University Competencies

Essential Features

• Broad, rich, and abstract

• Conceptual and cross-cultural

• Allows for multiple solutions/interpretations

• Not a “yes” or “no” question – many examples

• Is NOT content based (avoid re-wording a content standard)

• Transferrable across disciplines - timeless

Purpose

• To focus all of the learning activities

The Driving Question

A DRIVING QUESTION…

FOR STUDENTS FOR TEACHERS

Guides Project Work

Creates Interest and/or the

Feeling of Challenge

Reminds Them

“Why we’re doing this today”

Guides Planning & Reframes

Content Standards or Big Ideas

Captures & Communicates

the Purpose of the Project

Initiates and Focuses Inquiry

PBL Modeling

Project: Girl STEM Toy Challenge

Girl STEM Toy - Entry Document

Girl STEM Toy - Score Sheet

Girl STEM Toy - Teacher Guide

http://www.esc1.net/Page/2036

Brainstorm (ages 8-12)

• Makeup

• Boy Bands – 1 Direction

• Justin Beiber

• Dolls

• Singing and Dancing

• Video Games

• Electronic( iPADs)

• Sports

• Magazines

• Feelings and Emotions

• Movies

• Hair Accessories

• Jewelry

• Cell Phones

• Clothes / Shopping

• Shoes

Essential Features

• Declares a call to action

• Provides background information

• Identifies the problem/challenge

• Sets the parameters/limitations

• Announces the culminating event

• Links the project goals to student interest

(Relevance & Relationships)

Purpose

• Method to launch a project

The Entry Event

Entry Event Examples

• A teacher made video

• A letter from the principal or community leader

• A field trip

• A speaker

• Current event discussion

• Review a website

• Conduct a demonstration

• Read something provocative

Essential Features

• Deliver to a pre-determined audience

• Engage a “real” audience when possible

• Conduct during class-time or after school

• Showcase a variety of student products

• Involve campus, community, and industry

Purpose

• To celebrate the learning goals of a project. To

conduct final assessments of student products.

The Culminating Event

Culminating Event Examples

• A presentation to the principal, community leaders, or industry mentors

• A field trip

• Presentation to an Expert Panel

• Presentation of a Website

• Gallery presentations to lower grade levels

• A Video Gallery presentation

• Engineering Fairs, Science Fairs, STEM Fairs

• Competitions (Robotics, Written, UIL)