Project-Based Learning: Five Ways to Amaze and Spark Unity Within the Community
By Scott B. Freiberger
Fasten your curriculum mapping seatbelts and prepare for provocative, personalized pupil projects! Project-based learning (PBL) is an inquiry-based pedagogy in which scholars enhance skills in a cross-section of spaces, such as critical thinking, collaboration, reasoning, and resilience, in an effort to resolve real-world regressions. The PBL approach offers scholars opportunities to lead their own learning, delve deeper into discourse, sharpen standpoints, and meliorate mindsets. What may be of particular interest to school building and district leaders is PBL has been proven to maximize motivation and skyrocket students’ overall scores, particularly on high-stakes tests.
Peruse pupils’ passions prior to leaning into lesson planning, and try to tackle topics that spark students’ specific interests. Questions to consider may include:
· How might scholars engage with one another?
· How could scholars better engage with the content?
· What are some dynamic ways scholars can amaze?
· Which educational technology should be utilized?
· What are the project goals?
· What are the learning standards?
· What are some expected outcomes?
· How should success be defined, measured, and celebrated?
Schools that embrace PBL consider deep planning, educational technology, and accountability. In general, scholars appreciate multiple opportunities for leading learning and receiving practical, authentic feedback. PBL also aids in developing relevant skills within clearly-defined contexts. As new forms of educational technology encourage collaboration, and as more educators prop PBL and embrace inquiry-based education, expect to see expanded project-based learning occurring. Here are six ways to amaze and spark unity within the educational community.
1. Disney for a Day
Disney World is said to be the happiest place on Earth (and after 164 visits, this author would concur—it does make for merry ménage memories!) What would kids do differently if they sat in the Disney boardroom? Which projects would they support? Which projects would they turn down or redirect? What if scholars considered a Disney-like project akin to Conservation Station or expert animal care at EPCOT?
A Disney PBL experience could certainly be created in any number of directions. A twist on a similar sentiment was published by Jeanette Cowherd and Jeff Klean; this creative couple concocted a cool, creative template that asks, what if Disney ran your school? One could certainly appreciate an expanded planetary perspective and the emphasis on exceptional customer care everywhere rather than a more mundane mindset that measures success solely against local staff.
2. Clarify and Clear up Community Conundrums
What are some important community issues that require resolution? How could you search for some sensible solutions? Bullying, litter, food insecurity, or animals in need are certainly topics to be taken up. Learn how to consider community conundrums here. In addition, here are 10 public problems coupled with 10 reasonable resolutions. How could scholars collectively help the community? Here are 50 smart ideas for project-based learning. Looking for more? Take a gander at these 94!
One interesting Internet idea is Kid Governor, an award-winning civics program created by the Connecticut Democracy Center. According to the website, the program offers schools the opportunity to enter one student candidate into a statewide election that Grade 5 scholars vote on. There are ample areas to analyze, so consider scholars’ creativity and relish their resourcefulness—inrush results may be both remarkable and rousing.
3. Channel Success via YouTube!
With innumerable individuals (pubescent people, in particular) flipping through varied videos to find compatible content, consider channeling creativity via YouTube. The class could conceive of a channel dedicated to helping the community, as is delineated in this or that video. Learn how to design better PBL activities here, and be sure not to bore or ignore scholars’ input. PBL activities are not meant to be a chore, so always be sure scholars explore something more.
4. Mission Space: Life on Mars
For those of us who remember the 1990 Arnold Schwarzenegger sci-fi flick “Total Recall,” life on Mars seemed a far-fetched fantasy, much like the manic movie itself. Now, however, scholars have an opportunity to design life on the Red Planet as they would like to not only see it, but also possibly be on it during their lifetimes.
What is Mars like? Scholars can now know new knowledge about this really rufescent, dusty desert orb and its ethereal atmosphere. For example, NASA boasts spectacular live stream videos of the Red Planet, as well as in-depth solar system exploration. Scholars could also study life on Mars here or there. Science.com offers further scientific exploration and evidence of extra-terrestrial life, and there are several singular systems to design Mars life.
Scholars could start here before becoming brainy “Marschitects” to manifest a martian microcosm as they see fit. Scholars could also visit a martian design studio or an entire website devoted to Mars-inspired interior designs. It’s the new millennium and the sky is no longer the limit, so snap back to reality and let scholars’ imaginations soar higher than life on Mars itself.
5. App This!
Children tend to cherish a challenge, and motivating young minds means tapping into talents. With a plethora of free coding classes and apps available, consider delving into coding for kids. Instilling a doting for coding does not have to begin with a series of troublesome tasks, and conceptualizing coding and programming logic should empower children to solve problems with acuity and advance analytical reasoning readiness. According to one website, children as young as five can have fun while finding out coding fundamentals. Free educational programming websites include Blockly, Code.org, and Scratch. For older children (10+), try Code Combat; teens (14+) may also appreciate Code Academy.
The PBL Project aims to guide students to design a mobile app, which includes leading questions for classroom discussion, a grading rubric, and teacher directions. Here are 15 ideal apps for enhancing PBL in the classroom. Not enough, you snore? Here are 19 more! Still not plenty? Here are 20!
In sum, show scholars how to delve into data and conceive of concepts to produce an action plan. Teach that working together, we can reduce our carbon footprint, reduce waste, aid animals, or help humanity. The goal is to increase cooperation and make thinking visible to enhance and sustain 21st-century skills: the wisdom, work habits, and character traits that scores of sprightly students and prescient people will need to succeed in today’s tech-savvy society. Use sound judgment to help scholars embrace change, and never lose sight of the fact that all students have intrinsic value. Now more than ever, students deserve our empathy, respect, and support. Empower them in this new learning environment, where they can still feel a sense of connectedness, determination, and purpose.
BIO
Scott Freiberger, a passionate Instructional Coach/ENL Specialist with school building and district leader certification, is honored to be the 2018 TESOL International Teacher of the Year.
Twitter: @scottfreiberger
