Project-based+Learning

Presenter: Sue Sheffer Central York ssheffer@cysd.k12.pa.us

[|The Slides.pdf]

Useful Sites [|PBL Resources] [|The Futures Channel] [|PBL In Math] [|PBL Math Basics]

History of PBL PBL is not doing technology by doing podcasting or blogging but is creating something that is real life. This is a research based style of instructing.
 * Live bogging of PBL presentation by Sue Sheffer:**

What are the steps for PBL? (See presentation Power Point on the CFF Wiki) 1. Doing Math vs. Connecting Math Real World Application Variety of Skills Involved Collaboration with Peers Outside the Classroom Connection – Usually an expert.

Begin with the End in mind:

PBL instruction has the following characteristics: Authenticity, Academic Rigor, Applied Learning, Active Exploration, Adult Connections, Assessment.

PBL does NOT go with every lesson.

Shared an example of a PBL lesson: What is the math involved with building a pool? Architect and skills needed to go through the process from planning to finish building a pool. What was the driving or Essential Question the teacher wants the students to know at the end of the project? He planned multiple assessments along the way. This teacher used Google Sketch Up (teacher didn’t know how to use the program).

He mapped out the project by starting with the architect and visited the site of the new pool and sketched out what the site would look at. Small assessments were used along the way like the measuring of the plans, what did the sketch look like, was to it realistic looking. Then did an excel spreadsheet on the costs of all materials and labor and finally students gave a presentation on there project.

This teacher works in a block schedule and made a point to meet with students and groups regularly. He was more of the coach on the side than the leader of the activity. Some of the students loved it and other hated it. This was a three-week process done at the end of the school year.

Sue shared several PBL sites for ideas on how to use this learning style. (See the Wiki site)