Project-based learning (PBL) has been a huge part of the educators-to-be curriculum here at WMU. What seems so odd to me is that we never grew up learning this way, nor do we see this learning strategy in classrooms today. With the evidence that is used to support the benefits and positive outcomes through students, why is this not more prevalent in schools? As we become teachers with our own classroom it is important to keep in mind a few things to help us through the journey of using PBL with our students. Technology is used often with students both in and out of the classroom and is where most of them spend a majority of their time looking up research or for fun. We can use this tool in our classroom because our students will already have the previous knowledge about working with technology and because they are so in tuned with media based aspects of life, we can use this as a benefit for capturing our students attentions and curiosities. Another aspect the book talked about was that the real world is ultimately what we are preparing our students for. Not only to learn but to also live in and if we create real world experiences in our classroom we are better preapring them than if we have them read out of a text book for all of the necessary information.
One of my concerns as a pre-service teacher is that if we are employed at a school in they follow a curriculum that is not geared toward PBL, then how do we change this or even be allowed to use this technique in our classroom? With the evidence that provides the benefits of students and teachers it should be easy to change the way the curriculum is taught in schools. Some of these benefits include students are encouraged to use critical thinking strategies, work as a collaborative time and using technology to find research. These skills that they learn while working through the school year are skills that can also be applied to real world jobs. I feel that it is important to be using PBL because of these benefits but how do you make sure the GLCE's are being met? How do we as teachers make sure they students see that these skills they are learning with one subject area can be applied with other areas? How else do we open our students eyes to other topics they may see as boring as first but interesting in the end? How do we create a balance between answering questions through research and guiding our students into all areas that need to be met academically?
The New Technology Model was evident in New Technology High and I really liked how it was another real-life example of PBL. I really liked how they limited the class sizes down to allow for personalization within the classroom between the students and teachers. I also liked reading about how teachers are given time and incentives to work together and provide feedback towards projects that will be done with the student. Thee PBL style of New Technology High is about the students and their learning, especially when it comes to introducing new projects. PBL is a new and improved way to introduce curriculum to our students in a way that makes it interesting for them.
Great perspective/reflection Jessica. In reference to your 2nd paragraph...how can you implement it if it's not done w/ in the school?
ReplyDeleteAll it takes is one "daring" teacher. I believe the correct approach would be to share it with your principal and plan out, in great detail, how you plan to implement the PBL, along with standards and show statistics that reveal how it even helps with standardized test...the data, which sadly, so many districts only care about. I hope you are that daring teacher :O)
I reference to your question of implementing PBL in the classroom when the school is not on board, Start out small. develop a collaboration with one or two teachers and work together on small projects. you can also incorporate some of the Arts teachers such as music, art and P.E to compliment a subject that you are learning about. For example, If you are considering teaching a lesson on Symmetry for math. You can have the art teacher work on projects that envolve symmetry. You can also have the Gym teacher work on activities that challenge the student to make symmetrical shapes with thier friends.
ReplyDeleteI believe that a good way to use the GLCS is to start out the project with a conversation (TWO WAY) about the GLCS and explore the inquiries made by the students. You as the Teacher of course will guide their thinking with your probing and questioning of thier inquiries. (Your lesson planning should involve considering some of the students responses so that you will be prepared to move the discussion in the way that you want it to go). From thier you can emplement your project based on their inquiries. What do you think?
Thank you for the feedback! What wonderful ideas and advice you both have. Its scary to think that those of us who will be first year teachers need to be the ones to change the school system when there is statistical reserach behind this learning style. As teachers though, it is important that we change our schools to be better and if that means being brave - we must be willing to do it! Thank you!
DeleteWow! Great questions! To address your concerns about preparing for a change in curriculum and backing up PBL the chapter discusses a lot of adversities a teacher may face while trying to switch to a project-base learning environment.
ReplyDeleteSome things to prepare for according to this first chapter are to makes sure that you know what your learning goals are as a teacher and what you want your students to accomplish, the way you engage with your students as well as classroom management will change and students need to become more independent with you guiding their progress, and be prepared to explain to parents why this 21st century approach is going to be successful. I hope these tips from chapter one help answer your questions about how to change a curriculum or a teacher to the ways of PBL.