Teaching Research/Problem Solving Skills with The Public Policy Analyst (PPA):

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Teaching Research/Problem Solving Skills with The
Public Policy Analyst (PPA)

• A Problem-Based Learning (PBL) Application

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• Workshop Presenters
• Syracuse University
• Jim Carroll
• Ira Gelernter
• Region 2 (Bronx School District)
• Kate OHara
• Fred Fisher
• Art Fortin

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Workshop Overview

• Overview of Problem-Based Learning
• Overview of The Public Policy Analyst
• Using the PPA to Analyze a problem
• Examples of WebQuests Using the PPA

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• The principal idea behind PBL is that the
  starting point for learning should be a problem,
  a query, or a puzzle that the learner wishes to
  solve.
• Boud, D. (1985) PBL in Perspective. In PBL in
  Education for the Professions, D. Boud (ed) p.
  13

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• True learning is based on discovery guided by
  mentoring rather than the transmission of
  knowledge.
• John Dewey

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What are the Common Features of PBL?

• Learning is initiated by a problem
• Problems are based on complex, real-world
  situations
• All information to solve the problem is not
  initially given
• Students find and use appropriate resources
• Students work in groups
• Learning is active, integrated and engaged.

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• The PPA is a PBL tool used in
• Project TIPS (1999-2005) a 7M USDOE Technology
  Challenge Grant (Bronx)
• Project CRITICAL(2004-2009) a 3M Gifted
  Education Grant in Harlem
• Project CHARACTER(2002-2006) a 3M Character Ed.
  grant in Harlem

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• Lets Take a Look at
• The Public Policy Analyst

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• The PPA Process
• Define the Problem
• Gather Evidence
• Identify Causes
• Evaluate Existing Policies
• Develop Solutions
• Select Best Solutions

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• Lets use the PPA to analyze a problem in most
  colleges
• Grade
• Inflation

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• PPA Step 1Define the Problem
• As faculty members at
• Your College, you feel
• that too many students
• receive As today
• compared to years ago.
• You feel that Your College
• has Grade Inflation!

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• PPA Step 1Define the Problem
• Lets share
• some definitions
• of the problem
• from our groups

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• PPA Step 2
• Gather Evidence
• What type of evidence can you gather to
• support your social problem that Your
• College has Grade Inflation! (Hint You may
• research grade inflation at other colleges
• and infer that such data suggest it also
• exists at Your College)
• Go to Step 2

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• PPA Step 2 Gather Evidence
• Lets share
• some evidence
• of the problem
• from our groups

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• PPA Step 3
• Identify Causes
• What are the causes or factors that contribute
  to Grade Inflation at Your College?
• Go to Step 3

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• PPA Step 3
• Identify Causes
• Lets share some causes or contributory factors
  of the problem from our groups

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• PPA Step 4Evaluate Existing Policy
• Princeton recently enacted a policy
• to confront its grade inflation
• problem.

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• PPA Step 4
• Evaluate Existing Policy
• Since Your College does
• not have an existing policy,
• lets evaluate Princetons in
• this video clip
• www.udel.edu/inst/jan2005/facsenvideo.ram

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• PPA Step 4
• Evaluate Existing Policy
• Lets share some evaluations of the existing
  policy from our groups

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• PPA Step 5
• Develop Solutions
• State 3 public policy
• solutions for Your Colleges
• Grade Inflation problem

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• PPA Step 5
• Develop Solutions
• Lets share some public policy solutions from
  our groups

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• PPA Step 6
• Select Best Solution
• Select the best public policy
• solution for Your Colleges
• Grade Inflation problem
• based on feasibility and
• effectiveness

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• PPA Step 6
• Select Best Solutions
• Lets share some best public policy solutions
  from our groups

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• Project TIPS teachers use the PPA with their
  students through incorporating it into WebQuests