Rich Tasks, PBL, PrBL and the New

Curriculum

Liquorice FactoryDisclaimer: Not mine but from RIME

Everything was going along fine until one day the Number 6 machine broke

down!No worries - just put the liquorice through the

Number 2 Machine and then the Number 3 machine.

Liquorice FactoryIn these times of hardship how many machines do we really need? And what

are they?Those who have the most efficient

factory stay employed!

Two players take turns crossing out one number from the playing board. The first move in the game must be an even number. After that, each number must either be an exact divisor or an exact multiple of the previous player's choice. The first player who cannot cross out a number loses.

Juniper Green

Using the same rules as before, now work collaboratively with your partner to cross off as many numbers as possible. Document your steps. Who can have the most crossed off?

Juniper Green - The Sequel

Outcomes

•What does this task achieve?

•What understanding will students develop?

•How is this different to a standard lesson on this topic?

Rich Task? Definition?

• It draws on a range of important mathematical content

• It is engaging for students

• All students are able to make a start, as it caters fro a range of levels of understanding

• It can be successfully undertaken using a range of methods or approaches

• It provides a measure of choices or openness, leading to a sense of student ownership

Source: (http://www.educationaldesigner.org/ed/volume1/issue4/article15/index.htm accessed 27/4/13

Rich Task? Definition? • It actively involves students in their own learning

• It shows the way in which mathematics can help make sense of the world

• It makes appropriate and effective use of technology

• It allows students to show connections they are able to make between the concepts they have learned

• It draws the attention of students to important aspects of mathematical activity

• It helps teachers to decide what specific help students may require in the relevant content areas, or ways in which students may be extendedSource: (http://www.educationaldesigner.org/ed/volume1/issue4/article15/index.htm accessed 27/4/13

a lot of criteria - eh!

•Does a rich task need to address all the criteria?

Consider a rich task in your classroom

recently...

•Think

•Pair

•Post It Note on Board

Brainstorm - Rich Tasks

• Job for a king - chessboard square - how much wheat? Weigh wheat - how much?

• Class average of height - predict who is the average student in the room - play around with extremes!

• relate algebra to area - shape representing letter - on centi-paper adding substracting

• Different containers - how much they hold - guestimating sphere - vlouyme

• Chocolate game - 3 then two then one - choose where they sit -breaking down into fractions - have to decide where to

• Build a chookyard - certain amount of fencing - maximise!

PBL & PrBL

Guess the acronyms!

Project

Based

Learning

Problem

Based

Learning

What the?

PBL Explained

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

but I’m a Math’s teacher....that stuff is for other KLA’s

hold that thought.....

Problem Based Learning

•No nice video - sorry

•Major difference is that focused on process rather than product

•Still inquiry based, open ended and student centred

•Smaller chunks - often focus is only on one outcome, skill or key concept

PBL or PrBL?• PBL

• Students create a project (written, oral, visual, multimedia etc) that solves a need for their school or community.

• Uses an essential question and has an authentic audience for the completed product

• PrBL

• Real world problem - work on investigating and solving it

• Focus on what they already know and what they need to learn - students then find and apply knowledge to solve the problem.

Rich Tasks

PBL

PrBL

In the Mathematics Classroom

Direct Instruction?

Where?Brainstorm ideas on post-it notes - place

under headings on butchers paper

Some examples easiest if you go to my blog:http://simonborgert.wordpress.com

Or try:http://21centuryedtech.wordpress.com/2011/10/06/connecting-pbl-and-stem-40-free-engaging-resources-to-use-in-the-classroom/