#LearnLAP occurs on Mondays starting at 7pm Central Time. Guest moderators and participants discuss topics from author Paul Solarz's book Learn Like a PIRATE.
Welcome! Tonight's #LearnLAP is focused on PBL and Student Designed projects. I've been teaching at a PBL charter school in CA for the past 7 years and this year transitioned to the Elementary Director. #pblchat#LearnLAP
I'm Paul Solarz, a 5th grade teacher from Arlington Heights, Illinois and author of "Learn Like a PIRATE." Who else do we have joining us tonight? #LearnLAP
A1: From my experience- PBLs may be an ongoing assignment that may take months to complete. May be a two person group vs traditional 4-5 members #LearnLAP
A1: I think PBL work serves a deeper purpose and is more authentic. In our math class, we are having the students plant corn to teach decimal operations. This is inspired by @RaeHughart who is phenomenal. #learnlap
A1: #PBL is diff than traditional group work bc the outcome isn't always predetermined, Ss have choice and interest, they are also working on group work skills as they go #LearnLAP
A1/ Students are able to take what they know and apply it in a way that works for them. They build, solve, discuss, and grow through problem solving engagement. #learnlap
I think that PLB is different because it gives the students a little more freedom in their projects. It may take longer, but I think that it allows them to explore more and have more freedom in what they are working on. #learnlap#troll209
A1: PBL allows Ss to work together refining their critical & creative thinking skills in order to execute a final product for an authentic, real-world learning experience #LearnLAP
@BIEpbl's Gold Standards are the standard at my school. So important for teachers to feel comfortable focusing closely on 1 or 2 rather than thinking they can accomplish all of them at once. #learnlap
Q1: PBL gives students the ability collaborate, unleash creativity, and most importantly construct their own meaning and take ownership of their learning. #LearnLAP
A1: PBL gives students the ability collaborate, unleash creativity, and most importantly construct their own meaning and take ownership of their learning. #LearnLAP
That's my advice as well! Too often, we're afraid to jump into something because of fear of doing it wrong, but getting some of the BIE components is better than none! Start with a few & mix 'em up over time! :) #LearnLAP
A2: Allow Ss to choose what their final product will be as long as it addresses the learning goals. At first, may need to provide with several acceptable options, with rubrics or ways of assessing each one. #LearnLAP
A2 What works with the class, what do we need accomplish and how you would like to show me your understanding? Make sure you are involved all the way as a coach. #learnlap
A2: Menus, choice boards, and tic-tac-toe grids are perfect for student choice, but on my next PBL... I'm going to try giving up total creative control and let them choose the medium they wish to demonstrate their learning! #LearnLAP
A2 - Student choice is critical. They have to answer an overarching "Driving Question" that is BIG & HAIRY but affords options and is open enough to allow many solutions or products #LearnLAP
A2 Give students the standard/objective and allow them to create what speaks to them. Options are great at first. Ss need to own their learning. #learnlap
A2 - Know the purpose of the project before you determine the level of choice for the students. Sometimes it needs to be somewhat restricted. Other times it can be more open. If you have Passion Time/Genius Hour, that allows for ultimate choice! #LearnLAP
HI everyone, I'm late! Rachelle from Pittsburgh, teach Spanish & a STEAM course, A1 #pbl provides opps for Ss to explore real world problems, be creative, collaborate, engage in more authentic learning, #learnlap
A2: Choice in products, assignments, how to reflect & share. I'd recommend that choices not fully open-ended, or that they be T approved first. #LearnLAP
A2: allow Ss choice to come to mini lesson in part of room. Mini lesson is teacher led. Or Ss choose to stay at table, work in groups, independently or via blended learning. They pick how they get content #LearnLAP
A2 Give Ss diff choices of tools to use to create the project, leave it open for Ss to decide how to show what they learned but have guidelines for content, be avail for questions & to support #learnlap
A1 PBL is about a learning journey where each member brings a toolkit of thinking. It begins along divergent paths, each member utilizing strengths and passions. The paths converge to a solution or more profound ? that begins process again. #LearnLAP
Joe Gonzalez 5th Grade Teacher Charleston WV...Checking in late, A1:PBL is all inclusive and finds ways to let all students have a voice, not like group work is usually done by one student #LearnLAP
A3: The #PBL timeline should allow Ss to get the work done but not have TOO much extra time as they can lose interest. Ts need to assess every few lessons or so how each group is doing, give feedback on google docs, etc. #learnLAP
A3 - When students have choice and they are supported and connect with experts it drives up a level of passion never seen before within school walls. #LearnLAP
A3: you provide students the expected learning outcomes. They provide the topic to lead them to the opportunity to show evidence of the learning outcomes. #LearnLAP
A2: With choices Ss should still have learning objectives & expectations. Love when Ss come up with ideas that make learning better & more interesting for age group! #learnlap
This is so beneficial for Ss and Ts, we learn abt student interests, and also learn abt new tools, diff ways of thinking, creating, sharing information #LearnLAP
A3: Providing mini-lessons to break up the group work ensures that Ss learn the most important info that they can then apply to their projects #LearnLAP
A3 PBL is student driven and Ts must know their students. Allowing students to be apart of the whole learning process allows for growth, inquiry, and extension. Be open with your Ss & facilitate learning. #learnlap
A3 Start with driving question, survey Have an interest building launch. Know your Ss by having a relationship, u should have an idea if there will be interest. #LearnLAP
A3 Sometimes I don't know if the PBL project will sustain S inquiry, in fact I go home at night and stew over the lot of them and wonder if it will all pan out ... I should learn to trust them ... #LearnLAP
#learnlap a3 find that often students exceed the requirements, and are motivated to do more without rubrics. They police each other, and offer guidance.
A3: I use backward design in my projects & sometimes there are *gasp* traditional assessments to ensure Ss are meeting content requirements. Mini-lessons as needed too! #LearnLAP
A2 Students are studying an economics PBL. They chose their group members, invention/product build it, design it, pitch the idea and actually buy the items and sell it for profit! #LearnLAP
A3 You have to stay involved. Ask questions, push reserach and discovery. Regular feed back by having the students chunk the projects and refkect during each phase. #learnlap
A3 Since starting last year, I have had Ss choose their focus, and they work in class, complete some reflections, we talk about it, get peer feedback, collab with other Ss for diff perspectives #LearnLAP
A3: Make sure Ss understand the objective/purpose, but then... LET IT GO! When given freedom and choice, I'm always blown away by my Ss engagement, inquiry, and talent! #LearnLAP
Yes!!! (And encouraging the kiddos to lead mini-lessons that they determine are important!) Sometimes, I'll teach one kid a skill & they're asked to teach the others as they need it: "Jimmy's the expert! Ask him!" :) #LearnLAP
A3: An open ended, relatable, authentic driving question will spark the inquiry. Blended learning allows Ss access to content and class time become project work time. The digital environment should support the face-to-face #LearnLAP
A2 choice is essential to learning. Providing constraints enable more meaningful/intentional choices. Creative ideas & innovative solutions are a product of constraints. Provide end goal, but be flexible on the route and be open to new destination as well:)#LearnLAP
A2 let ss develop some of their own diving questions. Jigsaw groups so they can all each other qs about what they are researching or creating. Always allow choice for how to show learning. #LearnLAP
A4: It’s all about relationships. You have to build a relationship of trust or Ss will continuously be afraid of failing. Let them know upfront that you are there to support them through challenges! #LearnLAP
A4: We establish class expectations in beginning and then more specifically, group members create Group contracts. Peer evaluation and feedback consistently. #LearnLAP
A4 we must spark the intrinsic motivation. Ss should create from a place of passion and purpose not compliance and conformity. Ss more willing to dive deeper if they can infuse passions and interests. #LearnLAP
create learning opportunities related to integrated curriculum w/ big ideas and driving Qs which lead Ss to ask their own Qs - develop skills thru the content. Ss need to be taught how to ask good Qs #learnlap
#learnlap a4 Reflections and group reactions, 321 three good things, two improvements and one thing to try next time, model it on yourself, ask what you could have done better!
A3: I’m not ALWAYS sure if Ss will be motivated for content/topic. Part of my job is to bring curiosity for the subject matter! Also expect Ss to extend learning like GeniusHour projects!#learnlap
A4 - I start by teaching my students the importance of realizing that we all have different talents & we can't all do the same amount or type of work. Once we embrace our differences, I share my expectations of each person's hard work. Then I observe & give feedback! #LearnLAP
My #PBL page https://t.co/LGJsmKQ5zo
"Project based learning is amazing.
Have students find a problem in their community
and then have them go fix it." #LearnLAP
A3: Is it a cookie cutter assignment? Is every task looking the same? If so, it’s not #PBL and needs to be revamped. Give Ss choice, voice, and a good listener. #LearnLAP
A4: in a true student driven PBL world, each student has their own learning goals. They are held accountable on their progress toward their learning. Two students working on the same project can be learning very different things. #LearnLAP
A4: Well-defined roles, group/individual goals, reflections, peer/self assessments built in, Ss involvement in planning, clear expectations of formative/summative assessments #LearnLAP
A4: I outline goals for the day Ss decide how they get done.. Groups nominate a team leader-that leader becomes the expert-new leader next class. Ss take ownership and hold each other accountable T becomes facilitator #LearnLAP
A4 Know your students, their strengths, and build them up daily. Challenge them to learn and do more. However, have the checkpoints along the way to check in too. #learnlap
A4 Each of my Ss has an opportunity to have a class job, same goes for the PBL Activity, each should have ownership, not just one person doing the project. all about "Synergy" #LearnLAP
A4 they sign a team contract at the beginning stating what they will do if they disagree and what they promise to do to resolve the situation. If I have major disagreements I'll put it out as a gentle reminder. #LearnLAP
A4 Ask the kids. "What do you think is the goal of this, section, unit, class?" How would you like explore the answers and the material to be covered? How would you like to show that you understand the material and can apply it in an appropriate, creative/personal way. #learnlap
Really like the "How would you like to show that you understand the material and can apply it in an appropriate, creative/personal way." Wheels turning for next unit.... #LearnLAP
A4 I also have Ss use tools such as a project calendar. Similar to @PaulSolarz daily goal, Ss meet at the end of project work to write their goal for the next day. Kids hold each other accountable. #learnlap
A4 I also have Ss use tools such as a project calendar. Similar to @PaulSolarz daily goal, Ss meet at the end of project work to write their goal for the next day. Kids hold each other accountable. #learnlap
A4: It’s amazing when you turn over a teaching concept/topic to Ss for them to teach peers! Great intrinsic motivation! Ts can learn from Ss too! #learnlap
A5: love, love, LOVE google classroom/suite for feedback. Ss compile research in a google doc they share with me, I can give very specfic or overall feedback whenever AND see how much progress has occurred daily. #LearnLAP
I completely agree! Although, there are a few kids that I need to assign a role or task to. Usually ones that have a harder time staying on task. #LearnLAP
A5: students create their own learning targets based on the learning outcomes expected at the end of the project. They then check in on their progress and track their learning. Then create new learning targets as they reach mastery. #LearnLap
A5 With-it-ness, You have to be wandering through the classroom, giving feedback, and only some direction, stopping to be asked my opinion, that is what I envision. #LearnLAP
A5: The best projects go beyond the classroom, so other experts can & should provide feedback throughout the process, Quality Boosters from peers, timely feedback from me, it's all good! #LearnLAP
A5: I like to just wheel my rolly chair over to each group during the period and have a heart-to-heart. As I am talking, I jot down suggestions in the shared google doc, etc. That way they can refer back and we are all on same page #LearnLAP
A5 - we are setting up a project "Gallery Walk" for the teams in Gr6 to get feedback from the entire Middle School. This is in their "Creative" phase. #PBL culture #LearnLAP
A5: group check-ins, comment feature in Google apps, peer review- reviewers given a specific lens/role for feedbk. Ss nominated team leader stays at group to answer ? and lead mini mtg with reviewers. I act as a reviewer alongside Ss #LearnLAP
A5: Breaking the project up into manageable bites takes stress off the teacher and students, and allows for feedback/reflection/revision after each step. Google offers a lot of great ways to provide feedback, also love https://t.co/d8BbZaFJhU and Loom. #LearnLAP
A5: Conference with students, have students check in with responsibility partner, feedback from blogs, share progress in status of the class, etc. #LearnLAP
If anyone’s curious to see an amazing, extreme (in a great way!!!) example of Student Driven PBL, check out @FDL_STEM and @mashockn in Fond du Lac, WI. @mashockn is an unbelievable educator! #LearnLAP
A5 We use a Critical Friends protocol with our teachers to get feedback during our project development, prior to launching a project. I also use that protocol w/5th graders. Younger grades use a warm/cool feedback protocol. #LearnLAP
A5: Ss need feedback from the most natural source. Example: Students did a project on what a new playground would look like & our Facilities Supervisor provided feedback 2 them on their ideas. #LearnLAP
Seems like "rubric" might be a bad word in here but I have had success with them so far lol Also group/peer eval sheets. Mini-quizzes depending on unit. #LearnLAP
If anyone’s curious to see an amazing, extreme (in a great way!!!) example of Student Driven PBL, check out @FDL_STEM and @mashockn in Fond du Lac, WI. @mashockn is an unbelievable educator! #LearnLAP
A6 A little at a time throughout the course of the project. Check in along the way give feedback, make course corrections using the feedback. If you wait to the end you loose the foundation of the project/design process by not aloowing for reflection and change #learnlap
A5: Conference with students, have students check in with responsibility partner, feedback from blogs, share progress in status of the class, etc. #LearnLAP
A5 feedback should be ongoing. PBL changes and adapts based on feedback from peers, research, teacher, etc. PBL utilizes the design process. I conduct mid-process feedback sessions to let ideas collide & harness power of collective thinking. #LearnLAP
A6: Depending on the project, there may be many elements to get grades from, but presentations, reflections, sometimes project components, even tests sometimes. #LearnLAP
A6 - We host a #PBL project Expo at the end. We invited science experts to join us for lunch and give feedback. Add self-assessments, teacher observations, discussions, and a final product and you're good. I also debrief with teams. #LearnLAP
We are trying hard to hone in on the Ss reflection process this year. Provide multiple opportunities along the way to stop, reflect, and adapt. #learnlap
A6 Don't overthink grading. It's a process from start to finish. Does the student understand the concept? Does the student show the start to finish result? What have you learned? #learnlap
Very cool. School-wide we have expo night once a year. But all teachers do 3 projects throughout the year. We are building in more feedback from the audience and experts at the end. #learnlap
A6 - Although we're a grades-free classroom, we do use checklists quite often. I will use that as a feedback tool and students will revise when they haven't yet met requirements. (Example shown is for ePortfolios, not PBL.) #LearnLAP
A6 Don't overthink grading. It's a process from start to finish. Does the student understand the concept? Does the student show the start to finish result? What have you learned? #learnlap
A6: I always like to look for growth. How have the students improved skills and knowledge over time. I also like students to self reflect and give each other feedback via exit slips. #LearnLAP
Q6: group nom. Team lead submits project via google form. Shareable links/doc/info all in one spreadsheet sorted by groups/block. Also use voice typing/“email collaborators” in google to give final feedback in 1 click! #LearnLAP
A6 through reflections and student run exhibitions. Students act as teachers at exhibitions. The specific content standards are graded as mini-lessons serving a larger project. The PBL itself is graded by student reflection of growth. From begin point to finish point #LearnLAP
A little at a time. it is the high stakes end of the project bomb that kills motivation. Coach them along the way. Give them the opportunity to course correct and make benchmark grades recoverable through reflection and dialogue. #learnlap
So true. I'm at least fortunate to have standards based grading at my school. Takes the pressure off. Ss are pretty brilliant at demonstrating they have met the standards when they are infused in a #PBL project. #learnlap
We don't do #SBG at my school and Ss are very focused on grades at this point. So maybe one day we will get to where we can not grade the final project. At this point I think that would cause an uproar #LearnLAP
A7 - don't know about that, but tools for getting kids outside would be iNaturalist for sure!!! Incredible access to global intellectual capacity when you create a "project" for your school/area #biodiversity#LearnLAP and a book called Natural Curiosity and another Into Nature
A7: Genius Hour is the best PBL tool or hook I have used. Of course my best idea bank and resources for PBL has been my PLN here on Twitter. Together we ARE better! Love learning from others. #LearnLAP
A7 the tools, you mean like the hammers, tape measures or the Google Classroom and GSuite tools. - It really ends up being the tools needed for each S to finish the job. #LearnLAP
A8 Oh, this always happens, especially when we are doing their Christmas or Mother's Day gift. You jump over boundaries and obstacles to make sure they can succeed. #LearnLAP
A8: Our job is to remove barriers so that students can be successful. Time can be a barrier. There isn’t a single standard with a due date attached to it. We make those up. #learnlap
#learnlap a8 i had a student do a stop motion video of DaVinci but each time she had to start it over, watched her learn so much, in the end the product was not there. But it was genius, learning was evident.
A8 - #PBL projects sometimes are WAY TOO AWESOME AND BIG TO FINISH THIS MONTH OR EVEN THIS YEAR, so we celebrate the process and keep working on the product until it's done. #LearnLAP
Thanks so much for participating in this evening's chat everyone!
Please join us next week (11/20/17 at 7pm Central) for #LearnLAP as @PegGrafwallner moderates!
Topic: "Collaborative Risk-Taking."
A8: Sounds like a great class meeting and problem solving situation for the students. How can we help this group succeed and meet the deadline? How can we support other learners. Win! #LearnLAP
A8 I think Not bailing them out is the best gift you can give them. Having a hard presentation date is the key. Many teachers want to keep pushing it back or send the work home to complete. #LearnLAP
A8: Encourage the Ss to come up with the solution :) Often it's the journey, not the end result that demonstrates the learning. Deadlines ARE a fact of life, but so are extensions ;P #LearnLAP
