#worldgeochat is a weekly chat focused on teaching geography and global studies. Chats vary between geography specific topics as well as general teaching and education topics. ALL are welcome in worldgeochat!
Welcome to #worldgeochat, tonight's topic is PBL with a geographic perspective. I'm Jim Bentley, National Geographic Fellow, 6th grade teacher, and Buck Institute for Education National Faculty (@BIEpbl)
We have a couple of guest moderators tonight: Jim Bentley (@curiosity_films) and Chris Hefferan (@cheffernan75) along with a few more of Team #worldgeochat who I'll ask to introduce themselves.
Hi everyone! Ed, 7th grade geography teacher in Naperville, Il. I'm excited to learn from guest host @Curiosity_Films and the #worldgeochat crew about PBL #worldgeochat
Welcome to tonight's chat! Please tell us who you are, where and what you teach, and any other affiliations or credentials you've got to share. #worldgeochat
Welcome welcome, #worldgeochat! So excited for tonight's #PBL discussion. Somewhat new to this, so I've got my bookmark button ready. Sam from MA, 7th grade world geography, and 1/5 of your moderation team! Let's get started!!!
Benjamin Earl Lewis. Author, Texan, American, geography addict. 6th SS. 2020 presidential candidate. I've eaten virtually everything that slithers, barks, or squeaks across the world. This time next week I'll be in Argentina! #worldgeochat is bae
John Honish, 7th/8th grade geography/USHistory Beloit, WI. As for credentials? Umm, certified #edpuzzle coach? @wcss1 board member and long suffering @Bucks fan #worldgeochat
Spending two days in Buenos Aires before we head into the interior near Cordoba. Fishing and dove hunting! Tried to get into a school but they said "um... no." :( #worldgeochat
I just finished up with PBL101 training through BIE. It was a phenomenal experiences, and all of the resources on their site make it easy to plan, assess, and manage any #pbl experience! #worldgeochat
A1: I'm excited to have my tabs go crazy right now. I don't think I've have intentional experience with #PBL. Can't wait to see what you all suggest to look at in terms of resources #worldgeochat
Great to "see" you, Toni! Louie from St. Leo's here. Sorry I missed the SS PLC last week. End of the trimester got to me... First time seeing you here! Great group of SS Ts! #worldgeochat
A1: I'm in my 3rd year of implementing PBLs in my geo course ... we've expanded to using them in four different course sections of geo (traditional, Pre-AP, Med Academy & Tech Academy) #worldgeochat
A1: I have literally zero experience with any formal #PBL (unless I’m misunderstanding what exactly it is, but that’s why I’m here) and no formal training either? #worldgeochat
Hi Louise! I just listened to your recent episode of Hacking Engagement! You and your students did an incredible job! I love the concept of choose your own assessment! #worldgeochat
A1. No formal PBL training. Love the idea. It's the direction I want to head. I've done some lurking on Twitter. I hope to read Hacking PBL over the summer and integrate more next year! #worldgeochat
A1: I have been doing PBL since I started teaching. Not all good :). I love BIE training but I also attended IMSA’s problem based training for a week and it was good as well. #worldgeochat#PBL#PBLchat
A1: https://t.co/v5DT9epJJx really helped get started bc I could look through their resources, but we had a training in our district from experienced PBL Ts from another district #worldgeochat
Yay! Love hearing this. It's a packed 3 days. Consider it a start. There's more to learn and plenty of resources available. The @BIEpbl blog is essential for that. #worldgeochat
Hi Louise! I just listened to your recent episode of Hacking Engagement! You and your students did an incredible job! I love the concept of choose your own assessment! #worldgeochat
The art teacher and myself have done a PBL about welcoming new Americans, I was part of a grants that taught us how to do PBL, and used BIE #worldgeochat
A1
I've never had any training on #PBL, but I've kind of stumbled into it. When you give Ss a chance to look at a whole issue and come up with solutions, they are SOOOO much more engaged!
#worldgeochat
Very neat! I went to the training back in the fall, but life has been busy. Haven't gotten to booking the set over at the IU. Super awesome resource. I hear now you create your own Google Expeditions? #worldgeochat
Check out the @NatGeoEducation certified teacher training and join the Google+ community. These will definitely get you in the right direction. #worldgeochat
In reply to
@scubagirl812, @NatGeoEducation, @coachk, @NatGeoEducation
many Ss were really open to try it out, but some of the Ss had difficulty with the idea that the products were going to be done in class for the duration of the unit ... we worked & modeled A LOT! #worldgeochat
A1: A well run PBL is friggin' Mozart. A symphony of awesome sauce. I learned PBL from @edtechchic@Tommyspall in a training a few years back. We took their tutelage and turned my old Create a Country project into a school wide PBL called Create a World #worldgeochat@mccorklegeo
A1 - True PBL experience is pretty limited. Sure, we do projects and we learn - but not sure what we do qualifies as PBL. Time for me to learn. #worldgeochat
A1 so much PBL - never had any formal training. Much is formed with guidance/suggestions from students in what they want the outcome to be #worldgeochat
That's where I'm struggling right now. Most of the projects are done in class, not at home, but students are struggling with time management. Side note, I don't think my current project is PBL, but still. #worldgeochat
we're about to start our East Meets West Health Fair ... the Med Academy Ss have to pitch an alternative treatment to the gen public & med professionals during a health fair! #worldgeochat
That's what my Ss have been working on a Take Action project all year that connects back to the #GlobalGoals. They love it and they feel EMPOWERED! #worldgeochat
A1 I've familiarized myself with the essential elements from BIE I've really incorporates a lot of choice and collaboration and had ss share much more of their work publicly. #worldgeochat
and the Tech Academy Ss are about to examine the impact of media on social protests, so they're going create alt worlds where past social mvts have today's tech (a la Watchmen) #worldgeochat
My district is currently partnering with @DiscoveryEd. Awesome, hands-on #PBL strategies and coaching. Also big fan of any of the Pirate series! #worldgeochat
That's what my Ss have been working on a Take Action project all year that connects back to the #GlobalGoals. They love it and they feel EMPOWERED! #worldgeochat
A2 - World War II comes to mind since I'm in the thick of it right now. I'd like to teach it from a human geog perspective, though, and include the impact of the global depression as part of the causes. #worldgeochat
To answer this question, could we maybe have a definition of PBL. From the sounds of it, most of our participants (including myself) think they've incorporated PBL projects but are unsure. #worldgeochat
A2: working on solutions for climate-change related problems w 9th graders; looking at how they are interconnected and how we can act locally #worldgeochat
A2 #worldgeochat wondering what local geography means for kids who are stuck looking at concrete and nature only in magazines...would love more chances for nature for the nature deprived
A2 making comics based on another country (Captain Japan - what would the uniform look like, powers, etc), area, or topic - such as civil rights, etc #worldgeochat
At the PBL training they talked a lot about involving the public in all stages of #PBL such as the entry event or the feedback and revision process. #worldgeochat
A2 - also, would love to do a PBL on the Transcontinental RR. So much to investigate: immigration, physics/geology, labor relations, etc. #worldgeochat
A2: since I’m teaching US history I like the idea of students taking on the roles of us govt officials and working to make progress on a current issue #worldGeoChat#PBLchat
Biogiraffe provides FREE biographical resources for Ts to utilize in their SS classroom. Check us out. We can help support your PBLs! Also, we can create specific biographical resources based on your needs if you let us know. #worldgeochat#biogiraffe
A2: The aforementioned Create a World is @BrenhamMiddle's go-to. We work very closely with the ELA teachers. Science was involved last year too. Groups of kids create countries that cohabitate a collective world. #worldgeochat@mccorklegeo The big map is my favorite part. :)
This sounds AWESOME! I am going to start looking into the 5 main factors that affect economies and settlements. This could be a great idea. Could you possibly share an example or outline?? #worldgeochat
I'm doing trad projects as well, not yet PBL. In class too. Time management is an issue, but I'm so much more pleased with the result knowing that it ALL came from the students' creative minds! #worldgeochat
In reply to
@SamMandeville, @LFU_MissCox, @Ms_Mielke
A2: Also got to give a shout out to another one of my favorite authors on PBL. She is on this chat @suzieboss has too many books to name just go to amazon and type her name. She is good. #worldgeochat
A2 My work in progress #GoogleEI Hometown 360 Project is centered on local perspective and how we need to build context for our kids. Can they really understand the present without putting the past in context? https://t.co/NTG902wDkx#worldgeochat#mesquite360
At the PBL training they talked a lot about involving the public in all stages of #PBL such as the entry event or the feedback and revision process. #worldgeochat
A2: My super star colleague @jshesse is currently doing #PBL project about climate change and has been skyping with people all over the globe with her students. Most recently with Nat Geo explorer @alizecarrere with the help of @EBTSOYP#worldgeochat
A2: Food Trucks (convergence & diffusion); Social Protest (govt & innovation); Zombie Apocalypse (govt, econ, resources); Survival of the Fittest (LotF, resources); History of Medicine Museum; Video Game Design (VR, mapping)
#worldgeochat
A3 raising awareness about water issues in the great Plains and abroad. Raising awareness about conditions on native American reservations. #worldgeochat
A2 here is one we are doing right now - using a free comic from ABC News and Marvel to learn about Syria - so powerful. Tears shared today. https://t.co/KDzdpGMmO7#worldgeochat
Earlier this year we did #SharkTankMedievalChina to help us learn about the Silk Road and innovations from the Golden Age of China. So fun and we learned a lot! #worldgeochat
I know the #worldgeochat moderators and I would love to hear what types of PBL projects you have done and what experts you have connected. If you could could you add to our Google Form. We will be sure to share the results https://t.co/B1CLfM1sED#worldgeochat
PBL is a sustained inquiry where a project drives the learning. Check out the Essential Elements post for more specifics. https://t.co/5dczFewS9z#worldgeochat
A2: We will be working on our “take action” tasks in our upcoming curriculum work! I have previously done this with our Africa unit and the kids proposed charity ideas to help the various regions of Africa. #worldgeochat
A2 pretty sure Our zombie apocalypse scenario is PBL. The initial outbreak is a given but Ss then have to warn people, find a suitable relocation spot and set up a new country based on their own decisions, research, choice #worldgeochat
3A The biggest challenge for me has been allowing students the flexibility to have true inquiry yet have them target the same 4 reporting standards all year long. #worldgeochat
#worldgeochat My course is Eng/Prob/stats, but in a project to raise local use of free recycling toters, we examined the demographics of various town areas of subscribers vs reluctants #crosscurricular
A3 Curious how folks have brokered partnerships. Iowa BIG brings in potential partners who pitch TO students to come collaborate w/them. Nice model #worldgeochat
A3 #worldgeochat aligning to curriculum/standards and trying to get experts in to chat. Solve through meticulous planning! A lot of work, but worth it!
A2 This is one of the best #PBL lessons we've come across in quite a while—local geography, student-led inquiry, diversity ... #worldgeochathttps://t.co/nd7WsWP8m4
A3 one of my best friends just got done volunteering in Africa with @EWBAUS working on solving water issues. Would like to connect my students with his next trip. #worldgeochat
A3 Keeping students on track and on topic can be common. To help, I like to provide a timeline, rubric, and project materials available via #googleclassroom#worldgeochat
A2 here is one we are doing right now - using a free comic from ABC News and Marvel to learn about Syria - so powerful. Tears shared today. https://t.co/KDzdpGMmO7#worldgeochat
A3: It can be difficult to balance giving all students choice on the angle from which they attack a #pbl unit with being able to support them adequately #worldgeochat
A3: ORGANIZATION. I'm lucky to have @mccorklegeo as a partner in crime. We have several Google Sites which line kids out with daily objectives, badges, and rankings. Organization is key to ANY PBL. #worldgeochat
I love this! Thank you for sharing @Curiosity_Films. My next unit, I'm hoping to do an "Amazing Race" activity to introduce the 5 factors, but then students work in groups to learn more. Is that PBL? #worldgeochat
Challenges: ensuring curricular ties, resources, time management, soft skills needed to succeed
Overcame through careful planning on the front end, reaching out to community partners, and coaching conversations. #worldgeochat
A3: running out of time on Launch Day is the worst bc the Ss are so pumped with getting everything out in the open & then you have to pause until the next day #worldgeochat
A3 - other challenges - how to assess and what to assess. I want them to mean something, not just data in a gradebook. I also want the assessments to take a back seat for my students so that they'll value the experience, not just knoow their grades. #worldgeochat
#worldgeochat Start w/parent community, survey abt careers/passions/etc. Who else do they know? Build out from there. Also--don't overlook 'near peers' at nearby universities
A3 Biggest challenge I had was when Ss wrote letters to tech companies, media companies, & politicians about child labor in cobalt mines in DRC. Their letters were great, but only Samsung & Apple bothered to respond! #worldgeochat
Did you see the morbid/fun article we covered in the blog today? It's colonial Georgia, not Bleeding Kansas, but a great example of how the past is alive and citizen science-#PBL is at the forefront. #worldgeochathttps://t.co/EXLaYedI88
1. Gave their creative sides a chance to shine!
2. Confidence and presentation skills grew!
3. Amount of knowledge they gained because of high engagement!
#worldgeochat
A3 getting students to not focus on a rubric, points, etc - it’s a journey and once they understand this and allow their creativity to flow, wow, it’s powerful and I learn along with them #worldgeochat
A3: I find that allowing Ss to continue their conversations online really allows them to really show their prior knowledge while asking all the questions that will drive the unit #worldgeochat
I love that - especially at this age, parents dont know how to be involved at their Ss school - this gives them a chance to be a part of their student's experience! #worldgeochat
A3: This is such a good question. The biggest challenge I have faced is realizing my classroom culture wasn’t right and it hindered the PBL. I am still studying how to build culture. Studying restorative circles right now. #worldgeochat
Another strategy: Connect w/local govt agencies, including parks/resource mgmt/fish&wildlife. Can be a great connection even in more rural regions #worldgeochat
I know the #worldgeochat moderators and I would love to hear what types of PBL projects you have done and what experts you have connected. If you could could you add to our Google Form. We will be sure to share the results https://t.co/B1CLfM1sED#worldgeochat
A3 - another challenge: Ss asking to be told what to do; they've been doing school long enough to know how the game is played; PBL is a new game and they don't know the rules; that's gotta be frustrating for them. #worldgeochat
A3: Biggest challenges we often face are rooted in basic management and vetting of online resources. Sometimes you have to go slow to go fast. #worldgeochat
A3 One of biggest challenges was when did PBL cross-culturally thru social media. Challenges included cultural differences, time issues, & occasional tech issues #worldgeochat
I know the #worldgeochat moderators and I would love to hear what types of PBL projects you have done and what experts you have connected. If you could could you add to our Google Form. We will be sure to share the results https://t.co/B1CLfM1sED#worldgeochat
A4: honestly though, when we're able to tie in content, current issues & literature the Ss can see "when they're going to actually use this stuff" ... #worldgeochat
A2 At global have done PBL, via social media, w/ classrooms working together to raise awareness on issues of stereotypes & another one on helping w/ library books for a new school library in Suriname #worldgeochat
A4: There are so many rich opportunities for #PBL projects in your local communities! Our students work w/DEC in Hudson River, with local organizations and politicians, with law enforcement. So many rich connections to curriculum right in our own backyard #worldgeochat
A4: It is hard to find websites that inspire me for math projects. However, there are sites I love for supporting. kagan, teaching channel, edutopia, and texas instruments. #worldgeochat#PBL#PBLchat
A3 Biggest challenge I had was when Ss wrote letters to tech companies, media companies, & politicians about child labor in cobalt mines in DRC. Their letters were great, but only Samsung & Apple bothered to respond! #worldgeochat
some of my Ss reached out to game developers w/o me prompting them, & they received responses and feedback from them on their video games #worldgeochat
In reply to
@cheffernan75, @Curiosity_Films, @suzieboss
A4 - also, my inspiration comes from learning history all over again from an immigrant's perspective. I'm a naturalized citizen born in South Korea, and I try not to take "common knowledge" for granted. #worldgeochat
A4
Don't ever be afraid to reach out to experts. We were able to learn so much about North Korea by Skyping with @willripleyCNN
(side note, he was so good at talking to 12-13 year olds - they loved it!)
#worldgeochat
Sometimes a non-response is a response. That's where secondary sources and student storytelling can paint a picture of what was learned, too. #worldgeochat
In reply to
@ecasey77, @DBQProject, @SullivanStories, @cheffernan75
A4 - in the spirit of sharing, here's my work-in-progress PBL that could not be launched b/c my chair said no. Maybe one of you can make good use of it. https://t.co/TB1uK4XnXo#worldgeochat
A5. It’s tough to navigate my community when I talk about refugees and immigration in today’s current political climate. But so important! #worldgeochat
It’s worth tackling the topics that might make me nervous. Ss are always full of good surprises, especially @excelsior_ptech . Been talking about institutional racism and criminal justice since October w 10th grs; their depth + insight impress me daily. #grateful#worldgeochat
A4: sometimes the difficult topics are the ones we need to tackle w/ Ss ... we need to give these Ss the ability to discuss topics that are difficult & confusing so they can work through them! #worldgeochat
A4
Don't ever be afraid to reach out to experts. We were able to learn so much about North Korea by Skyping with @willripleyCNN
(side note, he was so good at talking to 12-13 year olds - they loved it!)
#worldgeochat
Not really. The ones I'm leery about only make me want to discuss it more. My students usually agree. And honestly, they are the ones who usually initiate it. #worldgeochat
A5 I had a wise mentor once tell me that if a child is old enough to ask then they deserve to receive an answer (cognitively appropriate, of course), so in that vain, as a teacher we must overcome our leeriness #worldgeochat
A4: I'm nervous about sex-trafficking. Human trafficking and slavery are fair game, but with 10 and 11 year olds, the sexual part is tricky. #worldgeochat
A4: like ... I'm terrified about jumping into the Social Protest & Media PBL bc of the current state of things, but I think that as we delve into all the topics that stem from our Driving & Essential Qs, we'll come out better in the end #worldgeochat
Here's a year-long project our @excelsior_ptech students are working on. They decided their local learning will culminate in a youth leadership summit and a show to teach residents about the rich history of our city that they researched. https://t.co/WredKi2VHE#worldgeochat
We would love to share our free biographical resources for you to use to enhance your pbls! We know one of you #worldgeochat creative teachers could do amazing things with them! #biogiraffe
A5 I had a wise mentor once tell me that if a child is old enough to ask then they deserve to receive an answer (cognitively appropriate, of course), so in that vain, as a teacher we must overcome our leeriness #worldgeochat
A5: As social studies teachers this is always tricky. I feel the need to not shy away from difficult or uncomfortable topics, but struggle to figure out how to best approach them. #worldgeochat
A6: in most cases, the Ss create multimedia products for their showcases or pitches ... I like to incorporate them into the class workshops or as supplemental resources! #worldgeochat
I've always skimmed through human trafficking without getting into the awful details. It's tricky when media reports about how common rape and exploitation are in that world. #worldgeochat
A6: The whole Google Suite is ready, willing, and able for PBL magic. We use ALL of it. Also paper maps, fabric flags, coats of arms, etc. #worldgeochat
Next year I want my ss to create classroom materials for elementary classrooms to supplement social studies. Booklets, games, picture books etc. #worldgeochat
So many resources to check out. Thanks so much #worldgeochat! Going to check out for the evening. I'll be following up on my hopefully snow day tomorrow.
Try to confront tough topics head-on. Make a shareable list of difficult topics so PLN fills in/contributes approaches with how they tackle them with Ss. Collaboration can help build courage. #worldgeochat
A5: As social studies teachers this is always tricky. I feel the need to not shy away from difficult or uncomfortable topics, but struggle to figure out how to best approach them. #worldgeochat
A6 We are just wrapping up documentary films about human rights violations. The idea was inspired from these videos https://t.co/45H7PBNHsS#worldgeochat
A6 Many have already mentioned some great places to get primary sources in multi media. Here's a list of questions to analyze primary sources thru a geography lens https://t.co/znjOleqvrT#worldgeochat
I have never not had a state test. I also never had less than 70% pass rate and my Ss are low. Suggest you start with one unit and see what happens from there. #worldgeochat
This.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. I've turned hundred of kids into #WaterWarriors through our work with @h2oschools.
And so excited to talk about this year's Walk for Water is out team tomrorow!
#worldgeochathttps://t.co/2XK947sjEV
Hey gang! Sorry I’m late! Amanda from Flower Mound, TX....
A4/we use Skyping and an article I read about Baby boxes inspired an entire project in our population unit that ended with donations to a local women’s shelter #worldgeochat
Since we all have to teach "stuff," we might as well teach stuff that can change the world, too. Right? We create films to promote responsible waste managment. https://t.co/tcWLhspyON#worldgeochat
A7: Kids conversing is what matters. Not a PBL, but I had my classes debate the Vietnam War last week. Such intelligent, thoughtful, EMOTION from millennials who would not have uttered a peep without some sort of collaborative task. Get em' talking. #worldgeochat
An issue may be urgent, but it may not be age-appropriate (eg: sex & human trafficking for young grades). Start with stories and lessons about belonging, caring and build complexity. Global relevance is everywhere. Fluency will follow. #worldgeochat
I've always skimmed through human trafficking without getting into the awful details. It's tricky when media reports about how common rape and exploitation are in that world. #worldgeochat
A7: make the last step of the process (or the whole process) be solution oriented; invite students to prototype, build, create, propose, etc. solutions #worldgeochat
A7: implementing a PBL approach allows for Ss to approach topics from their POV & not just from the T's ... it creates a internal-drive to search out answer & develop their own solutions #worldgeochat
#worldgeochat
A7 raising awareness isn't all that difficult. Getting ss bought in, and empowered to do something is. I think it's important to realize that not all are going to become on fire about an issue. BUT, if even one or two are then you've made a difference.
#worldgeochat Q7 I use short group performance tasks to gauge the depth of understanding. These small projects help students engage with homework in depth and learn from each other as well.
A7: An authentic project allows the teaching of skills necessary to make it happen. Nobody cares about commas, but in an email to a mayor, it matters. #worldgeochat
A7: Authentic tasks aren't school work, they're world-changing. Nobody wants "to do an essay." They want to write something that will persuade adults to act. #worldgeochat
We would love to offer our FREE biographical resources to help support your classroom. We also work with teachers to create resources specifically for them. Check out https://t.co/whW43GDbLG#worldgeochat#biogiraffe
Sorry I couldn’t make #worldgeochat tonight, but I’m definitely going to read through the tweets tomorrow because I’m looking for some great ideas to end the year.
A7: Authentic tasks aren't school work, they're world-changing. Nobody wants "to do an essay." They want to write something that will persuade adults to act. #worldgeochat
A7: Awareness is good. Action is best. One precedes the other, but without action in mind at the start, it's not likely to happen at the end. #worldgeochat
I can't thank @Curiosity_Films for leading an amazing #worldgeochat tonight! The amount of ideas and resources shared tonight will be invaluable to create meaningful authentic learning experiences for so many students! This chat was so inspiring! #worldgeochat
A6/ I like ABC-Clio, a database with academic articles about every topic under the sun, NewsELA, Maps101 to name a few....and I love @johnnywharris in his Vox Borders series for political geography....so great for understanding border regions #worldgeochat
