Project+Based+Learning


 * Presented by Dr. Jeff Wardlaw, Clarion Univeristy**

Act 48 code: A121379

Project based Learning (PBL) is a "real world" teaching style that aligns with and is supported by the idea of authentic assessment, and assessment style.

The process can be summarized in 3 steps:

STEP ONE: Define your outcomes which should be based on a) your Standards and b) your particular goals. It is also important as you begin to design your project to decide on given parameters for the project. This is the information given to students to ensure they say focused and don't stray too far. A rubric is essential to help guide your students to success. Do not give in to the tempation to develop this after the students have started and are nearing completetion. The rubric should guide the students the whole way. It is also essential to establish deadlines. You can adjust these as you monitor progress, but working toward small goals will encourage success.

STEP TWO: Implement the project. Teach the tech skills as they come up. The internet will be your best tool for finding answers. Do not give students the answers, they need to learn to find relevent information. You need to help them learn to evaluate the information they are finding on the web.

STEP THREE: Usually, PBLs conclude with the students presenting their final products. Final products may be presentations (PowerPoints) which link to Budgets (spreadsheets), Letters and Mail Merges (Word), Invitations and signs (Publisher), etc. The final products should demontrate that students used the software in an appropriate way and used the correct software for each project (excel spreadhseets not word for budget for example)

Visit ISTE's NETS and see the profiles for ideas...use software in meaningful way. http://cnets.iste.org/students/s_book.html