#UrbanEd chat is a twitter chat for educators. Topics relevant to the subject of urban education will be discussed, but all educators are encouraged to join the conversation. The chats will be moderated by Ben and Neil, founders of Engaging Educators and elementary school teachers in Detroit, MI.
I’m Breylon Smith. I’m not in the classroom. I work in the Out-of-School Time education space with middle school students in Washington, DC. #UrbanEdChat
A1: I think project based learning is any assignment in which an authentic artifact is produced or a real-world problem tackled. They're important to develop context, executive function skills and hopefully motivation. #UrbanEdChat
#PBL is a way for students to create their own learning by focusing on their interests and connecting it to the various standards and such. Ts should embrace it b/c it raises student engagement to entire new level #UrbanEdChat
A2: I think it shows for flexibility in how understanding is demonstrated, which reaches many learning styles. I also think it shifts from doing things because it's the standard and doing them because it's worth learning. #UrbanEdChat
#PBL is the most engaging process I’ve seen as a T. It allows for Ss to design, create authentic products early and often. It allows them to address real world problems. Creating real world solutions #UrbanEdChat
A3: It seems the workforce, with automation and technology, will increasingly need employees who are innovative, creative and able to plan/execute open-ended work. PBL can help teach these skills, IMO. #UrbanEdChat
A4: I think the difference is PBL combines real-world problem & skills used in the workforce to create artifacts. Less 'stapled pages with a math theorem on each page' and more 'is there a correlation between x and y social issue and what are some solutions?' #UrbanEdChat
A5: We can spend less time doing drill and kill to address deficits and teach them workarounds (Internet, calculators, etc.) and use our time together to focus on marketable skills and thinking that PBL can address. #UrbanEdChat
#PBL is soooooo much more than “making something.” The authenticity of connecting the various educational components can make a profound difference in a Ss life. It expands their horizons in a way that can help them see beyond their current space #UrbanEdChat
Q5: Schools should budget for alternative programming for those students who may be 1-2 grade levels behind. There needs to be a plan to prioritize these students just like there is for students who are excelling. #UrbanEdChat
Q5: Schools should budget for alternative programming for those students who may be 1-2 grade levels behind. There needs to be a plan to prioritize these students just like there is for students who are excelling. #UrbanEdChat
A5 I’ve given Ss books based on their interest to use as a springboard for #PBL. Since they are interested in the topic it doesn’t matter if their behind. They put in the extra effort and ask for help so they understand. #UrbanEdChat
A6: It shouldn't be different than any other work. Ensure accommodations are met, provide scaffolds and support, etc. If they struggle breaking down a task, use graphic organizer to help. If they struggle generating ideas, use sentence starters, etc. Just help! #UrbanEdChat
A6: It shouldn't be different than any other work. Ensure accommodations are met, provide scaffolds and support, etc. If they struggle breaking down a task, use graphic organizer to help. If they struggle generating ideas, use sentence starters, etc. Just help! #UrbanEdChat
