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Includes links to Project-based learning methods, Animoto for multi-media, Dipity for timelines, Google Drive for archiving, Glogster for digital posters and media, and Mindmeister for mind-mapping. Each tool is described with reasons for using it. A nice summary of the current state of PBL.

Article on PBL: The assumption of non-constructivist approaches to learning has been that as long as learners are provided with knowledge, they will be able to use it. Education based on that assumption is thus primarily concerned with transferring substance to the learner, and little importance is placed on the role of the learning activity. From a constructivist view, on the other hand, learning is the process of constructing knowledge - not merely obtaining it - in social environments (Brooks & Brooks, 1993). The theory of situated learning consistent with this view asserts that what we come to know and understand is fundamentally a product of the learning situation and the nature of the learning activity. Learning tasks should thus, as far as possible, be embedded in the target context and require the kind of thinking that would be done in real life (Brown et al., 1989; Lave & Wenger, 1991).

"Student reflection is a key ingredient in project-based learning, and for good reason. As John Dewey reminded us nearly a century ago, "We do not learn from experience . . . we learn from reflecting on experience.""

John Larmer sees a sliding scale: "There is a sliding scale of authenticity for projects, which goes from "not authentic" to "somewhat authentic" to "fully authentic.""

"Tynker is a new computing platform designed specifically to teach children computational learning and programming skills in a fun and imaginative way. Tynker is inspired by Scratch from MIT. It is a completely browser-based implementation written using Open Web standards such as Javascript, HTML5, CSS3 and does not use Flash. "Tynker's language extensions, built-in physics engine, character editors and other tools make it fun and easy for kids to unleash their creativity. Schools love Tynker because it offers them an easy to use cloud-hosted system for delivering a customized Computer Science course across multiple grades with a ready to use curriculum, classroom management and more. Tynker is the platform of choice at many leading schools - see what educators are saying." This looks like an interesting, creative way to unleash students' curiosity. I'm assuming it's for younger kids, but older students may enjoy it too.

A 6-step process for planning a prject with middle-school children (ages 10-13).

An interactive weather map for those interested in using weather/climate change for a content-based unit. A scrolling sidebar contains links to weather/climate related news stories, so that reading can easily be integrated into the study.

You can use this page to have students write a letter to themselves in the future to be delivered on a specific date (if the student keeps the same email). An interesting writing project using technology.

Great source of copyright-free images to use in class projects. Organized by decade from 1860s-1970s when LIFE magazine was published.

Over 8,000 websites created by students as part of the ThinkQuest Competition. Should give you ideas for projects in all the various content areas. Browse by age group, country, or subject matter.

Great tips for using teams, groups, and project-based learning. Common sense, but with some good management techniques.

"One of the challenges associated with using many web-based tools is that they require students to register for accounts or require teachers to manage their students' accounts. The process of registering and then remembering user names can take up a lot of instructional time. Therefore, whenever it is possible, I try to use tools that don't require registration. One example of this is found in the Stupeflix video creator which does not require users to register. It is just as versatile as the popular Animoto video creator. In the video embedded below I demonstrate how to make a video on Stupeflix." Another good article from R. Byrne

"Within YouTube there is a free tool for creating audio slideshows. You supply the images and YouTube supplies the audio track. You can pick from thousands of audio tracks to match to your slides. After adding your slides and selecting an audio track you can add speech bubbles to your slides." "Creating an audio slideshow with annotations in YouTube is a good way for students to share the highlights of some basic research that they have conducted. " However, the audio is really just background music. I wonder if it could be adapted to adding a teacher- or student-made spoken audio track. R. Byrne

"The old-school model of passively learning facts and reciting them out of context is no longer sufficient to prepare students to survive in today's world. Solving highly complex problems requires that students have both fundamental skills (reading, writing, and math) and digital-age skills (teamwork, problem solving, research gathering, time management, information synthesizing, utilizing high tech tools). With this combination of skills, students become directors and managers of their learning process, guided and mentored by a skilled teacher."

Nice example of a critical thinking activity. This is how the Gettysburg Address might look in live-tweet version; compare to the full version; research the ways it would link to other sites, etc. An interesting activity that could get students thinking about how the social media world interprets the universe. I can imagine this in a citizenship class, and adapted to many other events and themes. Teens/adults.

R. Byrne has a nice description of two apps to make interviews with -- a great listening speaking activity for ELLs, with some writing to make up questions. "The Opinion app could be a good choice if you just want students quickly create a simple recording. Students might use Opinion to record a quick reflection on what they learned during the week. If they have SoundCloud accounts Opinion makes it easy to create an on-going audio blog. "StoryCorps.me will take a little more time for students to set-up than they will spend setting-up the Opinion app. That said, StoryCorps.me is the app that I would want students to use when they are recording podcasts involving two or more people. Being able to see the questions while they record should help students keep their interviews concise and on track. "

A place for stock photos. Organized roughly by topics and popular searches.

"As the American K-12 system continues to look for ways to increase student interest and aptitude in STEM learning, technology is playing an increasingly pivotal role. Children who come to classrooms today have an inherent aptitude for technology and educators should encourage that skill set with resources that integrate STEM learning. Where do teachers find resources to incorporate into their STEM instruction? The easiest place would be via the internet."

"Description: Amazing augmented reality map-based app where users pin images to specific geo-locations for others to discover. Upload photos, clues for a virtually trail, or virtually displaying work around your school. Default set to share to contacts only for pupils to use safely, but teachers can share publicly." This look like a great idea for creative projects -- students can make trails for each other/other groups to follow.