Web Based Projects for 8th Grade Science

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Web Based Projects for 8th Grade Science

• Darren Fix
• Spring View Middle School
• Rocklin, Ca

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Magic Beads?

• Before

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Magic Beads?

• After exposed to sunlight

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Magic Beads

• What caused the beads to change color?

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Why the Beads?

• Students have interest in the problem.
• It is a starting point for in depth study of a
  concept (light).
• It can be the basis for a project.

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Goals for today

• Quickly cover Project Based Learning
• Showcase 2 web based PBL units
• Allow you to explore through the projects
• Process ways you could incorporate PBL and the
  web into your curriculum.

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What is PBL?

• Project Based Learning is a teaching strategy
  that requires students to complete a task that is
  mirrors real life situations.

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Why Use PBL?

• Raises motivation (for students and teachers)
• Learning in depth
• Knowledge construction
• Develops skills for the future
• Research
• Connects concepts

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Why Incorporate Web with PBL?

• Students need resources to complete a complex
  task
• Simulations
• Data
• Communication
• Organization

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PBL Characteristics

• Student centered, Teacher is facilitator.
• Learning occurs in small student groups.
• Task (often a problem) form the focus and
  stimulus for learning.
• Problems are a vehicle for development of
  clinical problem-solving skills.
• High amount of scaffolding is provided by the
  teacher.
• Multiple outcomes.
• Student Reflection

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Example 1

• Project Roller Coaster
• http//svms.rocklin.k12.ca.us/mrfix/project_roller
  _coaster/project_roller_coaster.htm

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Example 2

• EduToys
• http//svms.rocklin.k12.ca.us/mrfix/edutoys/

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How can you make a PBL unit?

• Take an existing unit or lesson.
• Magic Beads
• Light, properties of light, waves
• Create a problem that is interesting (something
  that you can get excited about) and relevant to a
  real life situation.
• There is a hole in the ozone layer above both
  poles. Scientists believe it will lead to
  increased skin cancer. You are the head of the
  United Nation committee that must evaluate the
  current situation and develop a policy of how
  countries must deal with it.
• Find resourcesstudents need the background
  information to help solve the problem. The world
  wide web has many resources. Customize it to the
  task.
• Resources linked to background information for
  the above problem could be
• What is light? What type of light hits the
  surface of the Earth? What dangers does the
  different type of light have on humans? Why is
  the ozone layer important? How can it stop
  growing?

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How can you make a PBL unit? (cont)

• Structure or scaffold it
• Divide the process into chunks
• Develop worksheets, timetables and activities for
  each part
• Use groups with different roles
• Head researcher
• Recorder
• Resource manager
• Have student keep a reflection journal
• Develop a rubric
• Students need a clear idea on how they are graded
• Try it out, reflect, and revise
• Get feedback from colleagues

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Questions???
?
?
?
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In Closing

• Do you want to order some magic beads?
• Educational Innovations www.teachersource.com
• Contact me
• dfix_at_rocklin.k12.ca.us
• Presentation can be found at
• http//imet.csus.edu/imet3/fix/clms_presentation.h
  tm (web version)
• http//imet.csus.edu/imet3/fix/clms_presentation.p
  pt (download power point)