Welcome to #NoVAedchat! Please intro yourself, tag a friend who should join us and answer this question: PBL is like ____ because _____ (bonus points if you add an image or GIF!)
Hello everyone my name is Joe and I'm an ITRT in Stafford, VA. PBL is like supercharging your teaching and learning because it gives ownership to the Ss. #NoVAedchat
Welcome to #NoVAedchat! Please intro yourself, tag a friend who should join us and answer this question: PBL is like ____ because _____ (bonus points if you add an image or GIF!)
Hey #NoVAedchat. Brian from Fairfax VA. Former English teacher, now ESOL data specialist. PBL is like an old VW. Stuff goes wrong, you figure it out, you fix it, you learn something and keep yourself moving down the road.
Hello! Im Emily, middle school science teacher! PBL is like the best rollercoaster you've ever ridden! Once you get on board you're hooked! Its full of twists, turns, excitement, and Ss love it! #NoVAedchat
A1: You help Ss gain 21st Century or really ALL Century skills through Collaboration and Communication while working together. Creativity and Critical Thinking through thinking about how they are going to represent their learning. Everyything builds on the other. #NoVAedchat
A1 I LOVE to have Ss set short term PoG goals for the day, so that they can really work toward one trait. An extra is allowing Ss to recognize & celebrate these traits in others! Ex: https://t.co/RSkVYpbnGe#NoVAedchat
A1: PBLs need to be designed with those soft skills in mind. Those skills need to be taught and many times the learning comes during a PBL and not off the rubric. #NoVAedchat
A1 Start w/the PoG self-assessment rubrics first! This allows Ss to center their own growth and goal setting. Make PoG skills visable (w anchor charts) & have them name & notice skills in themselves and their peers! #novaedchat
For those who aren't in Fairfax, our Portrait of a Graduate skills are collaborator, communicator, goal directed & resilient, creative & critical thinker, global & ethical citizen #NoVaedchat
A1: my librarian and I put students in collaborative groups to work through certain steps of the PBL. They communicate my making decisions together, share thinking and reflect with their group. All of this focusing on PoG #NoVAedchat
A1: encouraging all of those POG skills are super important, but I think in order to foster them, we have to create a safe learning environment where it's ok to take risks, try new things, and think outside the box! #novaedchat
I think this is an important step - giving students ownership and recognition of their learning/developing skills. Thanks for sharing @Mrs_Ziab#NoVAedchat#ChantillyPD
A1 I LOVE to have Ss set short term PoG goals for the day, so that they can really work toward one trait. An extra is allowing Ss to recognize & celebrate these traits in others! Ex: https://t.co/RSkVYpbnGe#NoVAedchat
Very true! While the vertical articulation of the skills might look very different in various grade levels, when you get down to it, explicit teaching of the PoG attributes and skills isn't THAT different! #novaedchat
A2: PBLs do not have to cover every standard in a unit / pacing guide. It is okay to break down what standards can be captured in a PBL (not all of them!) & teach Ss through a shorter experience. PBLs can be 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, you name it! #NoVAedchat
A2: A misconception about PBL's I would like to clear up is that a PBL is not just a project you have the students create. In order to be a true PBL it should be student-centered, Teacher-guided, and should have some real-world connection/application. #NoVAedchat
Hello all! Thanks @Mrs_Ziab for challenging me! A1-PBL is like being your own boss! Students are their own leaders, CEOs, and managers of their learning #NoVAedchat
A2 1 possible misconception = you do not need to pre-teach any content! If you are pre-teaching, students are not going through the process of project based learning! #novaedchat
A2: that science fair is the original PBL and that authentic (albeit) time consuming project is one of the few times that students do a ridiculous amount of learning, oh yeah and a little science too. Failures, mistakes, conversations, research, analysis, questions #NoVAedchat
Love this Jen! And so glad you're here! I think you nailed it here--I love seeing flashes of the future adults our middle schoolers will become when they do PBLs! #NoVAedchat
A2: JUST BECAUSE ITS A PROJECT DOESNT MEAN ITS PBL!! seriously, a list of 20 worksheets to turn in isn’t a PBL... it might be a project but it doesn’t require creativity or make deep connections to the material. #NoVAedchat
A2 another misconception = the PBL isn't about the "perfect" or "beautiful" project at the end! It's about the inquiry process for the students! #novaedchat
A2 (2) the students learn through the process, there is not a right answer. There is a lot of growth when there isn’t a right answer, and it is hard to cheat if there isn’t a right answer #NoVAedchat@ilovesciencefairforreal
A2: I want to clear up the idea of "ok, we can do a PBL after I teach them the content"--the person doing the work is the person doing the learning! It's not an afterthought, it's a learning process that is driven by inquiry & innovation. The PBL is the content! #novaedchat
SO true! The teacher plays a key role in providing students the tools they will need to succeed. This is where the art/craft of teaching really comes into play!
There is a significant amount of planning, but proper planning, scaffolding, and T collaboration on the front end allow students to take control and make greatness happen in our classroom! #NoVAedchat
Q3: Purposeful technology integration can be a PBL game-changer. What is your favorite tech tool to use during PBL, and how does it enhance student learning?
#NoVAedChat
A2: I want to clear up the idea of "ok, we can do a PBL after I teach them the content"--the person doing the work is the person doing the learning! It's not an afterthought, it's a learning process that is driven by inquiry & innovation. The PBL is the content! #novaedchat
A2: I want to clear up the idea of "ok, we can do a PBL after I teach them the content"--the person doing the work is the person doing the learning! It's not an afterthought, it's a learning process that is driven by inquiry & innovation. The PBL is the content! #novaedchat
A3: as far as hardware... iPads are awesome. #blankslate Flexible to use anyone, do many things, record data or observations and notes, photos, videos, researching... and can #create using it as well #NoVAedChat
A2 OK my last misconception I promise... One last misconception I would like to clear up is that you should do the same project every year, or take one exactly from the PBL database without changing it! #novaedchat
And amazing to see how, eventually, Ss start picking up on how to do these pieces themselves and begin owning their own processes. But like w all learning, they need opportunities to see and engage with examples before diving in on their own #NoVAedchat
In reply to
@e_knupp, @ProfeTravis, @TechyMargaret
A3: my new fave thing is app smashing! Using multiple tools together to produce a product. So far in my current PBL Ss have used: google apps, Padlet, Flipgrid, Adobe, autodraw, and traditional ancillaries from the publisher. #NoVAedchat
A3: My favorite tech tool to use during PBL's has changed over time and probably changes at least once or twice a month. However, the best is to leave it open-ended and allow the Ss to find the tools that work for them. #novaedchat
Q3 I like google forms, I can check in. I also like flip grid when it comes to having them practice communicating information and supporting their thoughts #NoVAedchat
A3 I encourage Ts to identify the thinking level they want their Ss to demonstrate for the learning target that day. THEN match up the tool. Ex: Ss present & defend an opinion about US staying neutral during WWI > @Flipgrid or @Padlet. #novaedchathttps://t.co/f2biQU0c4Z
A3a: If you make me choose a tool or two them I would say Google Classroom and Flipgrid because it allows the Ss an easy place to put all their work. Flipgrid allows the students an avenue to share their work which is a HUGE part of a PBL. #novaedchat
A3: my new fave thing is app smashing! Using multiple tools together to produce a product. So far in my current PBL Ss have used: google apps, Padlet, Flipgrid, Adobe, autodraw, and traditional ancillaries from the publisher. #NoVAedchat
So hard to pick my favorite tool, so I will just say any Google app! The opportunities it allows for student and teacher collaboration, sharing, and instant feedback is a game changer in any classroom, not just for PBL! #novaedchat
YES! Use the tool to intentionally connect to the thinking. After all, it's not about the tools, it's about the learning that the tool facilitates. #NoVAedchat
Q3: Purposeful technology integration can be a PBL game-changer. What is your favorite tech tool to use during PBL, and how does it enhance student learning?
#NoVAedChat
If I HAVE to pick: HyperDocs. (Because this is a cheating answer & it can encompass all possible tools mwahaha.) I love to build in elements of collab/comm for Ss in HyperDocs, so they can individually process w/in the HyperDoc before heading to @Padlet or other. #NoVAedchat
A3: I love how any google tool helps students to collaborate and stay organized. Google tools also make it easy for teachers to provide immediate feedback throughout the process. #novaedchat
Q4: A PBL learning environment involves a lot of moving parts. and well-established structures help to keep everyone moving forward. What is one classroom routine or expectation that helps you or your students manage your tech/PBL?#NoVAedChat
I usually see technology being used as a method of instruction (which is awesome!) but being more intentional about using it as a creation tool is important too! #novaedchat
A4 It is essential to plan for small groups or one-on-one conferences every day, based on what your Ss need. Give them what they need WHEN they need it! This is a great way to build relationships & delve deeper in conversation about your Ss' PBL progress & goals. #NoVAedchat
A4: We weren't 1:1 and often relied on Ss to provide their own devices, which were often phones. Creating norms around how to engage with them -- and what to do with them when not in use -- made a big difference in keeping everyone focused on their goals for the day. #NoVAedchat
A4: each PBL I put together has a master doc. It’s the key to the puzzle! Structure and expectations. Living resource for the students. Need clarification? Check the doc! Knowing where and how to use your resources is a key routine!! #NoVAedchat
A4: easy access and organization. Plan who, how, when, where for tech prior to lessons. Keep student collection of information and materials organized in folders, bins whatever is best for environment. #NoVAedChat
A4: Having materials that they might need readily available. Allowing them to work in small groups around the room or in the hallway with minimal supervision. #novaedchat
A4: A classroom expectation/routine that helped me with managing PBL's is that the Ss must try once, then ask two classmates before they interrupt me with a group. This I used when I taught 5th grade and even when I taught 2nd grade and worked build independence. #novaedchat
Such a great point about the power of feedback! So many studies show that personalize, specific feedback provides great gains for student achievement. #NoVAedchat
Q4: A PBL learning environment involves a lot of moving parts. and well-established structures help to keep everyone moving forward. What is one classroom routine or expectation that helps you or your students manage your tech/PBL?#NoVAedChat
A4 Managing routines & learning with tech/PBL is a lot like organizing reading or writing conferences with Ss. Checking in w/Ss & providing feedback along the way is critical for success. With frequent check ins you are aware where Ss are and where they need support! #novaedchat
So true! Eventually this became part of my natural planning process, but at first I had to be really cognizant of building this time into my plans. #NoVAedchat
Guiding question and objective, rubrics, lesson plan outline for the unit, content resources, etc. things get added as they might be needed. I’ve learned not to start with EVERYTHING... that can be overwhelming. It’s a hyperdoc for the PBL! #NoVAedchat
It takes a lot of intentional preparation, but utilizing Tier 1 intervention/small groups during Work Time is the way to go! #FeelTheLearnHMS#NoVAedchat
A4 Managing routines & learning with tech/PBL is a lot like organizing reading or writing conferences with Ss. Checking in w/Ss & providing feedback along the way is critical for success. With frequent check ins you are aware where Ss are and where they need support! #novaedchat
A4: Building a community, fostering relationships with Ss and expecting greatness!- the "we" mentality. Routines: supply signs/pics on the board as Ss walk in, group check-ins, team leader meetings, specific feedback, growth mindset, checklists, & tech tips #novaedchat
The team leader meetings are a great way to have regular check ins AND distribute leadership (aka individual accountability) across the class. #NoVAedchat
A4a: A strategy that helped me with the issue of time/pacing is I always tried to connect as many subjects/standards into the PBL, so I could allow the Ss to work on it most of the day. #novaedchat
totally agree, taking time at the beginning saves time down the road. I always tell my Ss, "we make time for whats important to us"-- getting to know them, building relationships, and expectations-that's important to us in this room! #NoVAedchat
A4: A variety of formative assessment and small group meetings!!! Having students actually develop a plan and make a to do list seems to help engage students and allows them to manage their time more independently! #NoVAedchat
SO TRUE!!!! Peer feedback acknowledges the shared expertise in the room. Individual reflection allows for those lightbulb moments to happen that can really have lasting impact! #NoVAedchat
Q5: Based on our conversation tonight, what is one goal you have for yourself, your students, or your school that relate to PBL or technology? #NoVAedChat
A4 Found this video earlier that shows some ways Ts have Ss facilitate their own discussions, set roles & expectations for group members, & manage their time better with pacing docs they create with their groups. #NoVAedchat
A5 Help my Ts to see that PBL is manageable & that they can start small. Although we have our CLTs doing 1 PBL a semester, many still feel it is a chore, rather than an authentic learning opportunity. My goal is to help Ts & Ss have a positive PBL experience! #NoVAedchat
A5 1 goal school wide is to share more PBL/tech work among grade levels! There are amazing things going on in classrooms, teams, and our school as a whole that everyone needs to see and celebrate it! #novaedchat
A5: A goal I have for my school is to continue to be an advocate for PBL's and work as the ITC/ITRT to help the Ts learn and integrate the proper use of a PBL into their teaching to PowerUp their teaching and help Ss PowerUp their Learning. #Lifelonglearners#novaedchat
A5: I want to include more peer feedback. More stand-up meetings and comments from peers. I also would like to be better at referencing our need to know list more frequently/intentionally each week #novaedchat
Maybe set up a time for Ts to go to other classrooms? Even if its 10 minutes, I always say that's better than 0 minutes! I love getting new ideas from brilliant colleagues! #NoVAedchat
A5 Another goal... I would like to set up a #observeme feedback survey, but am not sure which guiding ?s to include since I am not a classroom based teacher. Anyone have any examples or ideas? #novaedchat
A6: it doesn’t have to be huge. Start with a true guiding question and leave plenty of room for Ss choice. Start small and authentic and build layers from there! #NoVAedchat
A6: Don't reinvent the wheel! Consider how a project you already do could be reframed (my favorite word to use when talking about PBL, I think!) into project-based learning. And know resources in many forms exist to help you along the way! #PBLinFCPS#TechYesPBL#NoVAedchat
A6 Advice = start small, it won't be perfect, we have to take risks to grow and change, the best learning happens outside of your comfort zone! Always question how you can make learning better for your Ss & if you would want to be a S in your own classroom! #novaedchat
A6: 2 pieces of advice I give to anyone starting out with PBL's is to first think big, but start small and to don't be afraid to ask for help even if it is just to talk to. Things most likely won't go the way you want, but that's ok. That's when true learning happens. #novaedchat
A6 Advice: baby steps! Create your own greatness one step at a time. If you give Ss control of their learning they will amaze you! Again, we make time for whats important to us-We believe in our students every day, why not believe in yourself!? You CAN DO IT! #novaedchat
