Project Based Learning (With FREE Online Tools)

This workshop is intended as a Primer to introduce educators to Project Based Learning - and to the use of free online tools in project based learning.

Agenda

Slides: Project Based Learning (Quicktime Format)

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Welcome

• Welcome Activity

Project-Based Learning

• Elements of PBL (from Others' Definitions)
• Salem's Collective Definition of PBL
  • Standards Based
  • 21st Century Skills Based (The Metiri Group's engauge21st.pdf - and skillsbrochure.pdf) - See also: Bloom's Taxonomy (Revised)
  • Product Focused: Students Will Create Something
  • Student Focused: Students Make The Decisions (and Do The Work)
  • Rubric Assessed (See Below)
• Next Steps in PBL
  • Problem Based: Students Solve a Problem Or Answer A Question
  • Inquiry Based: Students Identify Problems and Ask Questions
  • Collaborative Learning: Students Work Together & With Others To Solve Problems and Answer Questions
  • Real World Connections: The Four Walls of The Classroom Are Permeable
  • Social Change: Students Make A Difference In The World (See the Social, Global, & Green workshop wiki for sample student projects!)
• Activity: Is this PBL?
  • Your Own Past Projects
  • Apple Learning Interchange

Rubrics

• Rubric Primer
  • Purpose
    • Clear Expectations For Students
    • Valid and Reliable Grading
    • Save Time Grading
  • Process
    • Write Objectives First
    • Write Descriptions For Each Level of Each Objective
      • Be Concrete?
      • Be Specific?
      • Be Descriptive?
    • Assign Point Values
    • How To Create a Rubric
  • Tools
    • Rubistar
    • Add Your Favorite!
• Rubrics for Assessing the Design of Your PBL Assignments
  • PBLRubricDRAFTv2.pdf - NEW! Google Docs Version for HAAT: http://docs.google.com/View?id=ddnzwcn8_457cxfr38cx
  • assessrubric.pdf

BREAK

Tools for Inquiry

Web Search

• Search Features
• Web Search Support
• Search Options
  • Don't miss Latest, Wonderwheel, and Timeline!
• Advanced Search
  • Don't miss File Type and Usage Rights. (Also: search creativecommons.org by usage rights.)
  • Don't forget to learn the Google Operators like Define: and others.
• Activity: Use advanced search to find resources related to a project you'd like your students to complete.

Specialized Search (Killer Research Tools)

• Book Search Support
  • Search Dr. Wagner's Library
  • Search Kyle Brumbaugh's Library
• Scholar Search Support (Don't miss the "cited by" feature!)
• News Search Support (See also News Timeline, InQuotes, and Google Alerts !)
• Activity: Use specialized search to find more resources related to a project you'd like your students to complete.

More Search Tools for Educators (Time Permitting)

• Language Search Tools
  • Tip: Enter your school's website to translate the site into Spanish... and then post a link to the translation on your site!
• Custom Search Engine Support (Regular Google Account Required)
  • Mrs. Gray's Research for Kids
  • Directing Learning with Google Custom Search by November Learning (PDF)
  • Screencast for Creating a Custom Search Engine.
• Search Curriculum to use with your classes
  • Developed by teachers along with Googlers. (Davis, Ferenz and Gray)
• Google Squared: A new way to display search results

LUNCH

Setup a Google Account! :)

Tools for Creation

• Docs: http://docs.google.com Resources: http://sites.google.com/site/cuegli/events/2009-12-12/docs-2
• Sites: http://sites.google.com Resources: http://sites.google.com/site/cuegli/events/2010-01-14/sites
• Blogs: http://www.edublogs.org Resources: http://blogifyoulovelearning.wikispaces.com/workshop
• Wikis: http://www.wikispaces.com Resources: http://wikiwhileyouwork.wikispaces.com/workshop
• Multimedia: http://www.aviary.com

BREAK

Proof-of-Concept Projects (Time Permitting)

• Develop Project Ideas
  • Identify Standards and 21st Century Skills (Objectives)
  • Consider Student Activities
  • Write a Rubric
  • Complete PBL Lesson Template
  • Post Rubric and Lesson Template to Sharing Page
• Sharing and Peer Evaluation
  • Each Teacher Will Present a Lesson
  • Others Will Evaluate It
  • All Will Reflect and Revise

Reflection

• Reflection Activity
• Online Evaluation

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More Sample Projects

Examples from GCT Sallie Hill

• 9th Grade World History Project: https://sites.google.com/a/brvgs.k12.va.us/wh-first-semester-project/
• 10th Grade Bioethics Project: https://sites.google.com/a/brvgs.k12.va.us/bioethics/home
• 12th Grade Senior Project: https://sites.google.com/a/brvgs.k12.va.us/seniorresources/

Example from GCT Thomas Cooper

• Vernal Ponds project uses Google Docs. Students collect data on the vernal
  ponds around their school over a period of time, and then use Google forms
  and spreadsheets to upload and share the data between student groups, and
  then docs to collaboratively create data charts and write reports.
  http://sites.google.com/site/vernalpondsproject/

Note: See the Social, Global, and Green workshop wiki for more sample student projects: http://socialglobalgreen.wikispaces.com/

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More Tools

Google SketchUp
3D Warehouse

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Contact Information

Mark Wagner, Ph.D.
mark@edtechlife.com