Problem Based Learning in the Social Studies

The Problem is the Solution PBL in the Social Studies

Where are we goingtoday?

Solving problems makes the brain happy

PBL is not a silver bullet, it’s a hammer

www.socialstudiescentral.com

Jot down at least one thing you know about problem based learning

Find a buddy!

PBL is:and has these characteristics:

Driving questionIs it ever okay to violate the Bill of Rights?

How can you develop a valid argument so that Congress does the right thing concerning the compensation of Japanese Americans interned during World War II?

Using evidence from the WWII Japanese American experience, contemporary documents and contact with mentoring politicians / experts, focus on the following statement:

“Descendants of those of Japanesedescent interned during World War IIshould be entitled to financialcompensation from the federalgovernment.”

GRASPS

GoalPersuade the US Congress to support yourposition concerning financial compensationRoleJapanese American Citizens League, WhiteHouse staff, othersAudienceSenate Judiciary Committee (Principal / BOEpresident / Chamber of Commerce president)

SituationYou have been asked to presentarguments during committee hearings on abill that would compensate JapaneseAmericans interned during WWII and/ortheir descendantsProductYou need to prepare an oral argumentfor or against the proposed bill

StandardsYour presentation should be both textualand visual and include: • Accurate data concerning the internment • Possible consequences of compensation • Amount / Type of compensation • Possible funding sources • Constitutional arguments

“Can We Believe This?”Buck Institute for Educationwww.bie.org

Based on these two examples and “What Does Problem-Based Learning Look Like in the Classroom”PBL is:and has these characteristics:

Based on the two examples and your article, what do we need to refine?PBL is:and has these characteristics:

What is PBL?“A way to organize learning around ill- structured problems so that students simultaneously acquire new knowledge and experience in wrestling with problems.”

Characteristics?An actual or simulated situationProblem is “messy”Student centeredMore work than one person can do in time allowed

No clear solutionRequires a product or actionStudents must have a “stakeholder”“Raw” data

what would you add or subtract?

why PBL?

“The brain developed to solveproblems relating to surviving in anunstable, outdoor environment and todo so in near constant motion.”John MedinaBrain Rules

can I eat it?

can iteat me?

can I have sex with it?

what then . . . is your job?

convince a middleschool kid that a fiveparagraph essay is essential for her survival

“If you wanted to create an educational environment that wasdirectly opposed to what the brain is good at doing . . .

“. . . you wouldprobably designsomething like amodernclassroom.”John MedinaBrain Rules

brainssearch forpatterns

won’t store discrete pieces of data long-term

brains work best when emotionalchemicals are increased

brains want to work with others

PBL provides structured patterns

PBL creates emotional connections

PBL encourages collaborative learning

PBL become about “survival”

Simpler?

“True learning is based on discovery . . . rather than the transmission of knowledge.” John Dewey

Oh . . . yeah. And there’s that whole Flat Earth thing

Great communications skillsAbility to define problems, gather data, create solutionsPlay nice in the sandbox

PBL structuresome basic assumptions concerning PBLs & social studies?

History is incomplete & open to interpretation • Urge use of raw evidence

History is incomplete & open to interpretation • Urge use of raw evidenceDifferent “levels” of PBL

Focus on the process

Focus on the processSubject matter experts provide feedback

Focus on the processSubject matter experts provide feedbackNeed a hook

Activity should be “ill structured”

Activity should be “ill structured”Provide access to appropriate tools & tech

Activity should be “ill structured”Provide access to appropriate tools & techDon’t get too involved

Provide scaffolding • Process / team building / thinking / reading

Provide scaffolding • Process / team building / thinking / readingIncorporate collaboration • A balance of individual / group / outside expert work is important

Other examples?WebQuestspbl-online.orgOnline sims / video games

WebQuests“An inquiry-oriented activity in which some or all of the information that the learner interacts with comes from resources on the Internet” Bernie Dodge 1995

browse the WebQuest matrix • webquest.org

can they be digital?

www.stopdisastersgame.org

d World FarmerThir

Trav eler IQ

What “squares” with your thinking? What’s going “around” in your head right now?

Can they be less “intense?” • Presidential Candidates

what makes a great leader?

Who’s who?1) John Adams2) Patrick Henry3) Ben Franklin4) Thomas Jefferson5) Benedict Arnold6) George Washington

Select knowledge & skills that students will demonstrate • Based on local & state standards

Develop a driving question • Organizes and provides focus • Thought provoking and invites inquiry • Have no simple answers • Kid friendly

How can we best protect the Ogallala Aquifer?Can the use of nuclear weapons ever be justified?Which came first - slavery or racism?Was FDR the best president ever?Are there modern day “witch trials?”What’s the best form of government?

Problem template

Problem templateHow can we central issue . . . so that conditions for acceptable solution

Problem templateHow can we central issue . . . so that conditions for acceptable solutionHow can we develop a water use policy so that natural resources and the economy of western Kansas are both protected?

What might be the content and skills in your next unit?Driving question ideas?Problem ideas?

Develop possible product or performance task • Use GRASPS as a starting point

GRASPSWhat is the Goal?What is the Role?Who is the Audience?What is the Situation?What is the Product / Performance?What are the Standards for evaluation?

What might be a product or performance that is aligned to your problem?

Determine availability of resources & tools • Books, articles, web sites, computers, fax machines, people

Map and manage the process • Create unit “storyboard” • Differentiated instruction • Step by step work plan • “Improvise” along the way

EvaluationSelf-reflection

The Six A’sAuthenticityAcademic RigorApplied LearningActive ExplorationAdult ConnectionsAssessment Practices

Other examples?WebQuestspbl-online.orgOnline sims / video gamesHSI

Three things to remember? How might I implement this?

“There are many ways ofgoing forward, but only oneway of standing still.”Franklin D. Roosevelt

Problem Based Learning in the Social Studies

by Glenn Wiebe

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