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Making Room for Inquiry and PBL in Scripted Classrooms
For many educators (especially at the elementary level), the desire to engage students in meaningful, inquiry-driven learning often runs up against the reality of teaching scripted programs. Whether it’s a tightly paced ELA curriculum or a math program that leaves little room for deviation, teachers may feel boxed in and unable to offer the kind of creative, student-centered experiences they know are best for deeper learning. But here’s the good news: even in a tightly scheduled, highly structured classroom, there are ways to make space for project-based learning (PBL) and inquiry. You don’t have to abandon your curriculum to honor student curiosity. You just have to get a little creative.…
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PBL & Inquiry: Reimagining Schools for the Anxious Generation
I recently re-read The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, and I believe there are three main takeaways for schools: In recent years, there’s been a noticeable shift in the way students engage with their education. The pervasive presence of personal devices, especially those equipped with social media, has introduced new challenges in the learning environment. Additionally, the traditional structures of education may not be fully addressing the developmental needs of today’s youth. Drawing insights from The Anxious Generation, it’s evident that schools must adapt to better support the well-being and growth of their students. 1. Reconsidering the Role of Personal Devices in Schools While technology has its merits, the integration…
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Mastering the Role of the “Content Infuser” in PBL
In a learner-centered classroom, the traditional view of the teacher as the all-knowing sage-on-the-stage shifts into something more dynamic. But even in the most inquiry-driven environments, teachers still serve a critical function: the “content infuser.” This might sound like a fancy buzzword, but it nails the reality that even in student-led spaces like project-based learning (PBL), teachers still need to introduce new information, ideas, and frameworks for students to chew on, ponder, question, and grow from. The teacher provides those crucial moments where new knowledge is introduced to help students explore, connect, and make sense of their world. But here’s where it gets interesting—the delivery of this new content doesn’t…
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Project Based Learning – Creating Balance
I was heavily involved in the theater departments in my high school and college. While I loved acting, I was also extremely drawn to the light and sound booth. I was taken by our ability to use specific lighting or sound to create a mood for the set or impact how the audience saw the performers. The more involved I became with PBL, I found that creating the right balance for a project was a key to a successful project for my students (and for me). Just like adjusting the lights on a stage to set the perfect mood, teachers can manipulate various aspects of PBL to create an effective…
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Practical Techniques for Fostering Collaboration in Project-Based Classrooms
Teaching collaboration skills in project-based classrooms is essential for successful learning experiences. Explore informal techniques like active listening and fishbowl discussions, alongside formal methods such as structured peer reviews and observation feedback, to enhance student interactions and foster a supportive, collaborative environment.
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Two Questions: Grades and Student Created Learning Outcomes
Today I had the opportunity to participate in a webinar hosted by AJ Juliani. While I will never get used to presenting to a completely quiet room, I am very thankful to the lively group and the awesome questions they posted in the chat. There were two questions I did not have time to answer and they are excellent. So, I wanted to take some time to respond. In project based learning, students uncover and rehearse their learning while they complete the project. The project, in essence becomes the instruction. For this reason, it doesn’t always make sense to grade that work. After sharing this thinking, one of the participants…
