Project Based Learning (PBL)

http://susangaer.com/studentprojects/
Email: susangaer@gmail.com

What is Project Based Learning?

Project Based learning, is a dynamic approach to teaching in which students explore real-
world problems and challenges, simultaneously developing cross-curriculum skills while
working in small collaborative groups. It creates a real life problem solving activity
where concepts from the text book are used and explored. Assessments are used to
determine competence in language objectives.

Why Use Project Based Learning?

• It is active and engaging
• It inspires students to obtain a deeper knowledge of the subjects they're studying.
• Research also indicates that students are more likely to retain the knowledge
gained through this approach far more readily than through traditional textbook-
centered learning.
• In addition, students develop confidence and self-direction as they move through
both team-based and independent work
Folktale Project
• Population-southeast Asian refugees
– Strong oral traditions
– Minimal reading and writing
• Collaboration
– District librarian
– Eighth grade language arts class
• Curriculum integration
– Objectives that match the curriculum
Newspaper Project
• Population-Mostly Latino students at the intermediate levels of language
development.
• Elective Class that students chose to take
• Urban Setting –Large School
• Students choose this project the first semester the class ran.

International Home Remedies Project

 Developed by teachers to train other teachers
 Model remedies from training placed on web
 Advertise on webpage for other classes that have interest
 Convenient form developed for easy additions
  Additions continually archived
 Intermediate-Advanced level language students
 Independent study class
 Hundreds of student cycling through 1 hour class for only 8 sessions.
Photo Project
• Intermediate-Advanced level language students
• Independent study class
• Hundreds of student cycling through 1 hour class for only 8 sessions.

Crucial Elements
 The Project must be geared to the population
 Students must see value in the project
 Timelines need to have flexibility based on class time and project
 Students are engaged in a meaningful project that develops authentic
language
 Develop a model for students to use
Benefits
 Motivating
 It develops a sense of community
 A student centered classroom is created
 Students should feel high levels of self esteem from completing the project

Resources
Free Teaching Tools and Resources http://www.intel.com/education/tools/index.htm
PBL Tools http://www.4teachers.org/tools/
Edutopia http://www.edutopia.org/project-learning
Assessment Tools: http://pblchecklist.4teachers.org/checklist.shtml
The Project Based Learning Place: http://susangaer.com/sgaer/pbl/index.html
Less Teaching More Learning http://www.ncsall.net/?id=385
Project Descriptions http://susangaer.com/studentprojects/pbl/

Projects
Folktale Project: http://susangaer.com/studentprojects/folk.htm
Newspaper Project: http://susangaer.com/studentprojects/newspaper.htm
International Home Remedies Project: http://susangaer.com/studentprojects/rem
Photo Project: http://www.susangaer.com/verb
Cookbook Project: http://susangaer.com/studentprojects/cook.htm
Virtual Visit to a Goodwill Computer Store: http://www.geocities.com/a9421243/
Virtual School: http://susangaer.com/studentprojects/school.htm