The articles and videos from this week really have me interested in using Project Based Learning with my class this year. I was very encouraged by some of the evidence that supports the value of Project Based Learning. Many teachers might worry that time spent on projects would lower student test scores, but I was happy to read that test scores were the same or even improved with project-based learning. I also never really thought about how Project-Based Learning would be popular with parents and that students could feel more confidence and leadership in working on such tasks, instead of more skill and drill or individual activities. Student's attitudes toward learning are so important, and a shift to project-based learning could encourage students to stay in school and pursue higher education in the long run.
There were several resources that I found very useful when I begin Project Based Learning with my students this year. I loved the checklist website! One fear of starting a project is that it would be difficult for students to self-assess their progress and effort, but I think this checklist is wonderful for spelling out exactly what students need to be accomplishing during their project. Also, it is a perfect tool to differentiate between my gifted and regular ed students, in that I could add a higher level of rigor in research skills for students that have more experience from their Focus classes. I also thought that the video which laid out the 5 components of Project-Based Learning was a great starting point for teachers trying their first project (like me). As I plan the unit, I will make sure to include a connection to real life, roots in the content, collaboration with structure, student driven focus, and many forms of assessment. Since I am the science lead for my grade level this year, I am thinking that a 3-week project based learning assignment could be a great addition to our unit about erosion and deposition and I am looking forward to start putting some resources together.
I agree that the checklist is essential because each student knows what they need to do as well as what they have completed. It will be interesting to see if you find that your students learn and retain more with your erosion PBL assignment this year. Is this something, as the science lead, that you plan to share with the other teachers if it is a success?
ReplyDeleteI agree with your point that that student attitudes are so important because they’ll learn more and be more engaged if they enjoy what they’re doing. It’s great to see students who research more and go deeper into what we’re learning, and then come back and share with the class. I remember a professor I had in undergrad say over and over that we’re losing our kids in school because they’re simply bored. She called boredom in classrooms an epidemic. Engaging projects like PBL and STEM could help to keep these students from dropping out.
ReplyDeleteMy co-teacher and I use checklists when doing PBL to make sure that we aren’t missing components when planning. Like I said before, we can’t just show up and “wing it” when we do our PBL projects with our gifted/FOCUS students.