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Whether you are new to project-based learning or ready to strengthen your existing classroom projects, you'll find a full suite of strategies and tools in this essential book.
Project-based learning is a teaching approach that motivates and inspires students to learn and helps them to become self-directed learners over time. Students learn not only the content surrounding their projects, but also important life skills such as problem-solving, creativity, collaboration, communication, time management, and responsibility. Author Scott Wurdinger has implemented this approach over the past ten years in his own classrooms, has conducted numerous research studies on this topic, and has seen the effectiveness of project-based learning firsthand. This book provides information on the history, research, and application of the project-based learning approach and should be read by educators who want to change their classrooms into dynamic exciting learning environments. Educators will learn everything they need to know about how to implement this approach in their classrooms, as well as how to help students create meaningful, relevant projects that can help impact and solve school, community, and even global problems. Read this book and bring project-based learning to your classroom!
It's no secret that in today's complex world, students face unparalleled demands as they prepare for college, careers, and active citizenship. However, those demands won't be met without a fundamental shift from traditional, teacher-centered instruction toward innovative, student-centered teaching and learning. For schools ready to make such a shift, project-based learning (PBL) offers a proven framework to help students be better equipped to tackle future challenges. Project Based Teachers encourage active questioning, curiosity, and peer learning; create learning environments in which every student has a voice; and have a mastery of content but are also comfortable responding to students' questions by saying, "I don’t know. Let's find out together." In this book, Suzie Boss and John Larmer build on the framework for Gold Standard PBL originally presented in Setting the Standard for Project Based Learning and explore the seven practices integral to Project Based Teaching: Build the Culture Design and Plan Align to Standards Manage Activities Assess Student Learning Scaffold Student Learning Engage and Coach For each practice, the authors present a wide range of practical strategies and include teachers' reflections about and suggestions from their classroom experiences. This book and a related series of free videos provide a detailed look at what's happening in PBL classrooms from the perspective of the Project Based Teacher. Let's find out together. A copublication of ASCD and Buck Institute for Education (BIE).
Project based learning (PBL) is gaining renewed attention with the current focus on college and career readiness and the performance-based emphases of Common Core State Standards, but only high-quality versions can deliver the beneficial outcomes that schools want for their students. It’s not enough to just “do projects.” Today’s projects need to be rigorous, engaging, and in-depth, and they need to have student voice and choice built in. Such projects require careful planning and pedagogical skill. The authors—leaders at the respected Buck Institute for Education—take readers through the step-by-step process of how to create, implement, and assess PBL using a classroom-tested framework. Also included are chapters for school leaders on implementing PBL systemwide and the use of PBL in informal settings. Examples from all grade levels and content areas provide evidence of the powerful effects that PBL can have, including * increased student motivation and preparation for college, careers, and citizenship; * better results on high-stakes tests; * a more satisfying teaching experience; and * new ways for educators to communicate with parents, communities, and the wider world. By successfully implementing PBL, teachers can not only help students meet standards but also greatly improve their instruction and make school a more meaningful place for learning. Both practical and inspirational, this book is an essential guide to creating classrooms and schools where students—and teachers—excel.
This newly revised book explores proven strategies for overcoming the limitations of the traditional classroom, including a wealth of technology tools for inquiry, collaboration, and global connection to support this new vision of instructional design. The book follows the arc of a project, providing guided opportunities to direct and reflect educators own learning and professional development. In the expanded second edition, educators will find new examples of the latest tools, assessment strategies and promising practices that are poised to shape education in the future.
Project based learning (PBL) is gaining renewed attention with the current focus on college and career readiness and the performance-based emphases of Common Core State Standards, but only high-quality versions can deliver the beneficial outcomes that schools want for their students. It’s not enough to just “do projects.” Today’s projects need to be rigorous, engaging, and in-depth, and they need to have student voice and choice built in. Such projects require careful planning and pedagogical skill. The authors—leaders at the respected Buck Institute for Education—take readers through the step-by-step process of how to create, implement, and assess PBL using a classroom-tested framework. Also included are chapters for school leaders on implementing PBL systemwide and the use of PBL in informal settings. Examples from all grade levels and content areas provide evidence of the powerful effects that PBL can have, including * increased student motivation and preparation for college, careers, and citizenship; * better results on high-stakes tests; * a more satisfying teaching experience; and * new ways for educators to communicate with parents, communities, and the wider world. By successfully implementing PBL, teachers can not only help students meet standards but also greatly improve their instruction and make school a more meaningful place for learning. Both practical and inspirational, this book is an essential guide to creating classrooms and schools where students—and teachers—excel.
It's not what students know, but what they do with what they know that is important Schools are changing in response to this reality, and in Transforming Schools Using Project-Based Learning, Performance Assessment, and Common Core Standards, Bob Lenz, Justin Wells, and Sally Kingston draw on the example of the Envision Education schools, as well as other leading schools around the country, to show how the concept of deeper learning can meet the need for students who are both college and career ready and engaged in their own education. In this book, the authors explain how project-based learning can blend with Common Core-aligned performance assessment for deeper learning. You'll discover how many schools have successfully made the transition from traditional, teacher-centered learning to project-based, deeper learning and find many practical ideas for implementation. Companion DVD and website include videos showing how to implement deeper learning strategies in the classroom Evidence-based descriptions show why deeper learning is right for students Performance assessment experts explain how to align assessments with Common Core by shifting the emphasis from knowing to doing Extensive game plan section provides step-by-step guidance for change Schools are complex organizations, and transformation involves all of the stakeholders, from students to superintendents. But as this book shows, there are amazing benefits to be realized when everyone commits to diving deeper into learning.
This text contains 25 Project-Based Learning (PBL) lessons written by a combination of undergraduate preservice teachers, inservice teachers, and graduate students. Everyone who wrote a chapter strives to improve STEM education to help others implement standards-based STEM instruction that takes learning in isolation to greater accountability through integrated and meaningful tasks that answer the question every teacher dreads: When am I going to use this? The PBLs were written to implement in middle and high-school classrooms. All of them are interdisciplinary in nature. We have divided them into six themes: construction and design, water, environment, mixtures, technology, nutrition and genetics. Each lesson contains a “schedule at a glance” and the “well-defined outcome” so you can quickly see how a particular PBL fits into your curriculum. Objectives are listed along with STEM connections written as objectives. We have included all materials needed and then each day of activities including an imbedded engagement, exploration, explanation, evaluation (including rubrics), and extension. We have tried to include everything necessary for successful implementation. This practical book is the perfect companion to the handbook for learning about implementing PBLs: Project-Based Learning: An Integrated Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Approach – second edition.
Project-Based Learning in the Math Classroom: Grades K–2 explains how to keep inquiry at the heart of mathematics teaching in the elementary grades. Helping teachers integrate other subjects into the math classroom, this book outlines in-depth tasks, projects and routines to support Project-Based Learning (PBL). Featuring helpful tips for creating PBL units, alongside models and strategies that can be implemented immediately, Project-Based Learning in the Math Classroom: Grades K–2 understands that teaching in a project-based environment means using great teaching practices. The authors impart strategies that assist teachers in planning standards-based lessons, encouraging wonder and curiosity, providing a safe environment where mistakes can occur, and giving students opportunities for revision and reflection.
Many teachers, schools, parents and community organisations feel that ‘standards’ education is not serving us well. It has proved ineffective at preparing many students for work, higher education and general wellbeing, nor does it keep students engaged and intrinsically motivated, capable of sustaining interest in education and learning. There is a supressed desire to transform educational outcomes, and enquiry based learning (EBL) and project based learning (PBL) are the prime candidates for achieving such a goal. EBL is education that is driven by curiosity, questions and problem solving, with the capacity to produce results that are equal to or better than standard outcomes. This new text provides a critical examination of EBL and PBL by exploring a wide range of international exemplars and considering the benefits, barriers and contradictions generated by the efforts of teachers and schools. Focusing on analytical frameworks and socio-cultural theory, areas covered include: enquiry and society what EPBL is learning through enquiry challenges for schools and teachers student outcomes and assessment teacher learning curriculum development. Enquiry and Project Based Learning offers analytical frameworks and practical guidance for students, teachers and all those interested in enquiry based learning, as well as presenting a balanced, purposeful and motivating alternative to mainstream educational practice.
