This simple video makes the essential elements of PBL come alive and brings to light the 21st Century skills and competencies (collaboration, communication, critical thinking) that will enable K-12 students to be college and work-ready as well as effective members of their communities.
Hey folks, I know a number of you are interested in Proficiency Based Grading. I also know that finding a digital platform to support flexible pathways and grading models has been difficult. I came across this software and support system. I saw it in action in a small charter school in Wisconsin and it seemed to work very well!
Extensive resource for everything that you need for Project Based Learning.
Video, Tools, Research
Adam Rosenberg posted this a while ago, definitely worth another look.
A Step-by-Step Guide to the Best Projects
Discover a project-based learning model that motivates students to pursue knowledge and drives academic achievement.
Written in partnership with San Diego's High Tech High, this guide offers step-by-step advice on planning and managing extended, interdisciplinary projects, as well as useful protocols for critique sessions, templates for important documents such as project plans, and examples of high-impact projects.
"...as a culture, our collective bias is toward extroverts. The popularity of work environments with 'open plans' that have no, or low walls and constant noise are completely focused on extroverts. She also notes the current popularity of what she calls, 'new group think', which revolves around work being done in groups and highly valuing collective thinking."
"If you mistakenly believe that the most effective leaders are Extroverts, that using teams to brainstorm is the best way to foster innovation, or more simply, that Extroversion is a choice, you must read this book.
Drawing on the latest research in neuroscience and psychology as well as relevant case studies, Cain effectively debunks the Extrovert Ideal, and equally important, helps us to better understand and value many of the attributes and behaviors associated with Introversion."
Laura Mina mentioned Maker-Spaces at the last planning meeting. It seemed that there were a few Fellows who had were interested and might have had a few questions. This short NPR piece is timely and includes some time around a BTV Maker Space.
"Maker spaces have become hotbeds of technological innovation and entrepreneurship. Now, governments, universities and big corporations are taking notice - and beginning to invest in them."
I personally believe for a number of reasons that every Vermont HS should have a Maker Space. First it is a place to encourage interdisciplinary work centered around elements of PBL. Second, it would allow students to connect with their communities to solve real problems with real solutions.
And finally and perhaps most importantly, because it would help move the idea of "Libraries" being places where students go to find Information...to being places to the idea that they are places where students go to Interact & Collaborate around Ideas.