Project Based Learning: Interactive Environments

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Project Based LearningInteractive Environments

• John R. Mergendoller
• Buck Institute for Education
• Robert Lenz
• Envision Schools

California Superintendents ForumSacramentoFebru
ary 2, 2006
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Doing Projects vs. Problem Based Learning

• Doing Projects
• Loose set of activities around a theme OR a make
  something activity
• Supplements the curriculum
• Broad outcomes
• Unfocused assessments
• Loosely managed
• Does not follow a design methodology

• Standards-focused PBL
• Inquiry-based answers a Driving Question
• Part of the curriculum
• Specified outcomes
• Aligns assessments with outcomes
• Uses project management tools
• Follows a design methodology

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Topic Sound Pollution Projects vs. Project
Based Learning

• Listen to different
• sounds and make volume and pitch
• graphs.
• Identify
• features of sounds that
• are disturbing to the
• human ear.

• Identify 5 common sound
• pollution problems in the
• community. Investigate
• the problems and devise
• technically feasible
• solutions to present to the
• City Council.

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Topic Ancient Architecture Projects vs. Project
Based Learning

• Make scale models and posters depicting the
  architecture of ancient Egypt

• Do a case study on the pyramids based on the
  question, How were the pyramids built? to
  address controversial issues source of design
  materials time to completion transportation
  contents of chambers.

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What is Project Based Learning?

• A systematic teaching method that engages
  students in learning essential knowledge and
  life-enhancing skills through an extended,
  student-influenced inquiry process structured
  around complex, authentic questions and carefully
  designed products and tasks.

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What is Project Based Learning?

• A systematic teaching method that engages
  students in learning essential knowledge and
  life-enhancing skills through an extended,
  student-influenced inquiry process structured
  around complex, authentic questions and carefully
  designed products and tasks.

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What is Project Based Learning?

• A systematic teaching method that engages
  students in learning essential knowledge and
  life-enhancing skills through an extended,
  student-influenced inquiry process structured
  around complex, authentic questions and carefully
  designed products and tasks.

8
What is Project Based Learning?

• A systematic teaching method that engages
  students in learning essential knowledge and
  life-enhancing skills through an extended,
  student-influenced inquiry process structured
  around complex, authentic questions and carefully
  designed products and tasks.

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What is Project Based Learning?

• A systematic teaching method that engages
  students in learning essential knowledge and
  life-enhancing skills through an extended,
  student-influenced inquiry process structured
  around complex, authentic questions and carefully
  designed products and tasks.

10
What is Project Based Learning?

• A systematic teaching method that engages
  students in learning essential knowledge and
  life-enhancing skills through an extended,
  student-influenced inquiry process structured
  around complex, authentic questions and carefully
  designed products and tasks.

11
What is Project Based Learning?

• A systematic teaching method that engages
  students in learning essential knowledge and
  life-enhancing skills through an extended,
  student-influenced inquiry process structured
  around complex, authentic questions and carefully
  designed products and tasks.

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What is Project Based Learning?

• A systematic teaching method that engages
  students in learning essential knowledge and
  life-enhancing skills through an extended,
  student-influenced inquiry process structured
  around complex, authentic questions and carefully
  designed products and tasks.

13
What is Project Based Learning?

• A systematic teaching method that engages
  students in learning essential knowledge and
  life-enhancing skills through an extended,
  student-influenced inquiry process structured
  around complex, authentic questions and carefully
  designed products and tasks.

14
What is Project Based Learning?

• A systematic teaching method that engages
  students in learning essential knowledge and
  life-enhancing skills through an extended,
  student-influenced inquiry process structured
  around complex, authentic questions and carefully
  designed products and tasks.

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Outcomes
ContentStandards
Skills
Habits of Mind
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Skills

• Commonly used 21st Century skills
• Communication
• speaking presenting publishing
• Group process
• leadership teamwork collaboration
• Self-management
• time and task management self-monitoring

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Habits of Mind

• Persisting
• Managing Impulsivity
• Listening with Understanding and Empathy
• Thinking about Thinking
• Striving for Accuracy
• Questioning and Posing Problems
• Applying Past Knowledge to New Situations
• Thinking and Communicating with Clarity and
  Precision

• Thinking and Communicating with Clarity and
  Precision
• Gathering Data through all Senses
• Creating, Imagining, Innovating
• Taking Responsible Risks
• Finding Humor
• Thinking Interdependently
• Remaining Open to Continuous Learning

(from A. L. Costa B. Kallick, The Habits of
Mind)
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BIE PBL Handbook

• Coaching, Examples Resources
• Begin with the End in Mind
• Craft the Driving Question
• Plan the Assessments
• Map the Project
• Manage the Project

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WWW.PBL-Online.org
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More Information?
John MergendollerExecutive DirectorBuck
Institute for EducationJohn_at_bie.org Bob
LenzChief Education OfficerEnvision
SchoolsBob_at_envisionschools.org