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How do we as educators truly get our students involved in the learning process? Are we simply trying to convince ourselves that, if a student scores well on a formalized test, they have really mastered the skill? One way to truly see if your students are comprehending the skills and objectives are through project based units. They are a little scary for most teachers because it takes them out of their comfort zone. Here is an article, with video included, that gives an excellent justification for moving toward PBL (Project Based Learning).
Project Based Learning: Start to Finish
viewed on Edutopia July 1, 2013
I love using project based learning as much as possible in my classroom. I find that it takes a lot more time planning up front, but once the kids get going on it- it is so much easier to run assignments of this type than anything else! Especially with the common core shifts and the shifts in standardized testing coming up in the next couple years, it is so important to use PBL in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteI really want to do more of this in my classroom. Our administrators are just now coming around to understand that we won't always be able to get "X" amount of grades every single week but we are continually doing formative assessments daily as our student work toward accomplishing the project assigned. Not sure who else out there has a "quota" of grades per report card period.
ReplyDeleteI really agree with the PBL concept. I find that even my struggling students can project what they have learned by showing me or telling me. The best part is when I have them teach their peers. They are not only becoming the expert, but are influencing others with their ideas.
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