This document discusses project-based learning and its benefits. It outlines some key elements of the project-based learning approach, including using real-world projects as the centerpiece of the curriculum, collaborating to solve authentic problems, and integrating technology as a tool. The document provides examples of project ideas and lists some benefits of project-based learning such as improved learning, building of life skills, and connecting students to their community. Resources for learning more about project-based learning are also included.

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PROJECT BASED LEARNING
Rute Baptista, CSS | Miguela Fernandes, Ambassador
eTwinning Multilateral Seminar
Coding and Robotics
12 - 14 April 2018
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https://answergarden.ch/680785
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WHAT DO 21ST
CENTURY LEARNERS NEED, IN YOUR OPINION?

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• For critical thinking to occur, projects have to be structured to
demand deliberate, reflective thought, and students have to be
shown examples of what critical thinking looks like, in addition to
being supported, assessed, encouraged, and given feedback as
they try such thinking out with their peers and on their own. Only
then can PBL become “genuinely educative” for critical thinking.
John Mergendoller, Executive Director of the Buck Institute for Education.
http://www.p21.org/news-events/p21blog/1097-teaching-critical-thinking-skills-through-project-based-learning

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PBL (WHY)
...makes school more engaging for students.
...improves learning.
...builds success skills for college, career, and life.
...helps address standards.
...provides opportunities for students to use technology.
...makes teaching more enjoyable and rewarding.
...connects students and schools with communities and the real world.
...promotes educational equity.
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WHAT ARE THE HALLMARKS OF THIS APPROACH?
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• Write 3 things (on a post it) that make this
approach distinctive
• Share with the person next to you
• Share with everyone
https://padlet.com/miguela/pbl_lx

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WHAT ARE THE HALLMARKS OF THIS APPROACH?
• Projects form the centrepiece of the curriculum
• Students engage in real-world activities used in authentic disciplines.
• Students work collaboratively to solve problems that matter
• Technology is integrated as a tool
• Teachers collaborate to design and implement projects that cross
geographic boundaries
• One good project extends far beyond the original classroom.
Projects that “go big” may also attract media attention
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BENEFITS OF PBL
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Benefits of using PBL (Larmer, 2016, p. 11)

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Downloadthedocumentinpdfat
http://www.bie.org/object/document/gold_standard_pbl_esse
ntial_project_design_elements

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ESSENTIAL PROJECT DESIGN ELEMENTS
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Challenging Problem or Question
• Exploring of a philosophical question
• Investigation of a historical event/time period, or natural
phenomenon
• Problem-solving situation
• Examination of a controversial issue
• Challenge to design, plan, produce or create something
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Driving Question
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Ideas

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Houses
How can we construct best houses
for homeless?
Fifth- and sixth-graders at
Torrey Hills School were
challenged to find housing
options for the homeless,
veterans and elderly, they
started by thinking small.
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Source: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/communities/north-county/sd-no-tiny-home-20180330-story.html

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Rock On!
Who is entitled to natural beauty?
Fourth grade students worked
collaboratively to transform their
experiences and understanding
of geology into a product that
encourages other members of
the community to engage in
geology activities in our local
natural spaces.
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Source: https://www.hightechhigh.org/htenc/project/rock-on/

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Travelling Without Moving
How does / can urban planning
impact us as individuals and as a
community?
The project examined
fundamental topics such as
identity, diversity, justice, and
action, with a particular focus on
segregation.
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Source: https://www.hightechhigh.org/hth/project/travelling-without-moving/

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Native Americans
Third graders discuss an exhibit
on Native Americans, part of
a project-based learning unit.
First the project unpack
stereotypes through deep
discussion, and the students
reflect on that learning by
creating posters.
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Source: https://www.edutopia.org/article/bringing-social-studies-life-pbl

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• Meaningful knowledge
• Sense of belonging
• Sense of participation
• Inclusive learning
• Interdisciplinarity
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USEFUL RESOURCES
• Collaborative Projects Can Work in Any Subject
Medium.com
Teacher-blogger John Spencer argues for wider use of collaborative and creative projects and design thinking, offering
lots of good examples from various subject areas.
• The Value of Establishing a Culture of Thinking in the Classroom
Getting Smart
Not explicitly about PBL, but on the same wavelength: an overview of the Cultures of Thinking Project, led by Ron Ritchhart
as part of Harvard’s Project Zero.
• Poquoson students connect with veterans for class project
Daily Press
A local news story from Newport News, Virginia, about a project in which 11th graders interviewed local veterans and
documented their stories through writing and video, which will go to either the Friends of the National World War II
Memorial or the Poquoson Museum.
• A Teacher’s Guide to Project Based Learning
Biracial Bookworms
Here’s a fairly thorough look at PBL, by a teacher who clearly gets it and loves it (and has been to BIE’s PBL 101 workshop).
Great answers to FAQs, and a nice explanation of the compatibility between PBL and International Baccalaureate
programs.
More at: http://www.bie.org/blog/top_5_pbl_news_stories13
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2 MUST WATCH VIDEOS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=075aWDdZUlM
https://youtu.be/UCFg9bcW7Bk

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rute.baptista@eun.org
miguela.fernandes@dge.mec.pt