1. Project-Based Learning:
why, what, how
Jonathan E. Martin
@JonathanEMartin
www.21k12blog.net
Education in a Changing World Conference, August 8, 2013

2. why

3. So much is changing……..

4. http://www.justsaypictures.com/im-looking-for-the-mouse.html
Now we will just assume
that media includes the
possibilities of
consuming, producing,
and sharing side by side,
and that those
possibilities are open to
everyone. How else
would you do it?
Clay Shirky,
Cognitive Surplus

5. • Relevance
• Exploration, Discovery, and Process
• Learning by Doing, Making
Mistakes, Constructing Meaning

6. What the World Needs is Different

7. 7 Survival Skills
• critical thinking & problem solving
• effective oral & written
communication
• accessing & analyzing information
-
• curiosity and imagination
• collaboration across networks &
leading by influence
-
• agility and adaptability
• initiative and entrepreneurship

10. We Need Deeper Learning

11. What could we do to make the
biggest impact for students and
teachers?
Deeper Learning:
• Mastery of core academic content
• Critical thinking and problem-solving
• Working collaboratively in groups
• Communicating clearly and effectively
• Learning how to learn
• Barbara Chow, ED, Hewlett Deeper Learning, EdWeek

13. Shadow-blogging

15. Relevant & Interesting Problems

16. What if?
• At least half of the time
they spend on
schoolwork must be on
stuff that can’t end up in
a folder we put away.
• It should be because
their work is something
they create on their
own, or with others, that
has real value in the real
world.

17. Technologyas accelerator

18. Professionalism

19. Authentic Audience

20. Rethinking Assessment

21. PBL

22. Project-based
learning is integral
to school’s program

23. Essential Ed. Elements
1.Hands on projects solving
real problems
2.Collaboration: Working in
Teams
3.Creating
4.Multi-disciplinary
learning
5.Design Thinking
6.Trial and Error

24. what

26. HighQuality, 21stcentury PBL
(HQ21PBL)

27. A design view of PBL
“a systematic teaching method that
engages students in learning essential
knowledge and life-enhancing skills
through an extended, student-
influenced inquiry process that is
structured around complex, authentic
questions and carefully designed
products and tasks”
Mergendoller, et al., 2006

28. Critique
Web Literacies & Digital Citizenship
Broad-Based
Assessment
Real-World Relevance
Scaffolding & Teaching as necessary

29. Defaultposition:Every student,everyunit

30. Back to why

31. Reviewing the Research Regarding PBL Efficacy
-- several slides borrowed from Jason Ravitz, former Director of Research,
BIE, available here: http://www.slideshare.net/biepbl/metasynthesis-3slides

36. My argument
This model of PBL– inquiry driven, student-centered,
technologically accelerated, networked-connected,
skill developing, real-world informed and applied—
is essential, most of all
because it develops, supports, and assesses the skills
and mindsets of self-directed and self-empowered
learning,
and there’s nothing more important for our students’,
our society’s, and our planet’s future.

37. how

38. www,pbl-online.com

39. The existential question
Teacher-Driven
Or
Student-Driven

40. http://www.pbl-online.org/
www.bie.org/diy

42. Determine your ILOs
Content Standards/Knowledge
21st c. Skills

43. Develop Project Concept
Online Archives
Textbook Suggestions
News and Events
Collaborative Design
How would a professional use this knowledge
and skill set?

44. Design Project
Take the Time
Map it Out
Try it Yourself

45. Evaluate
Work with Colleagues
Project-Based or Project-Oriented
Learning?
Use the Six A’s

46. Six A’s
Authenticity
Academic Rigor
Applied Learning
Active Exploration
Adult Connections
Assessment practices
• Steinberg, Real Learning, Real Work

47. A Good DQ should
• Be provocative and relevant
• Drive the project
• Capture a project theme or a "big idea“
• Arise from real world dilemmas
• Point students toward mastering content and skills that
enable them to answer the question
• Not be easily solved or answered

48. “Operationalizing” the DQ

49. From: Was Truman’s decision to drop the
bomb justified?
To: How might we prepare a message to
our Senator advising how to vote on a
nuclear weapons elimination treaty?
Adapted from BIE handbook

50. What have been the most popular novels
among teenagers in the last 30 years?
To: How can we communicate effectively to
the Library board how reading interests have
changed over the last 30 years so that they
will revise their purchasing strategy?
Adapted from BIE handbook

51. • Ignite Sessions/ Pecha Kucha
• Blogging: Quadblogging
• Websites & Wikis
• Videos
• Teaching younger students
• Books for grandparents/family members
• Letters to Newspapers, Public Officials
• Pamphlets and handbooks
Going beyond powerpoint

52. • Assess knowledge and skills discretely
• Design exhibitions of learning in which students
demonstrate knowledge and skills
• Use Multiple Measures; Don’t require
“culminating product” to hold all accountability
• Use rubrics for ILO’s, not tasks
• Use self, peer, and expert assessments
• Employ frequent formative assessment

53. Questions?
http://www.pbl-online.org/
jonathanemartin@gmail.com
@JonathanEMartin
www.21k12blog.net
www.bie.org/diy