This document discusses using project-based learning (PBL) and educational technology (EdTech) in the classroom through the lens of the Critical Skills Classroom model. The session will explore how PBL and EdTech can be integrated in a way that has students do more of the work without increasing the teacher's workload. Attendees will consider how this approach could fit with current technology uses and expectations, and support students in becoming better technology consumers, as well as how it could adapt to changing curricular or technology environments.

1. PBL + EdTech = Next
Gen Learning
Wish your technology was working for you, rather than the other way
around? Want to do more PBL (project or problem based learning) but
can’t figure out how? Need a simple, elegant approach that magnifies the
power of both without doubling your workload? In this session, we’ll use
the Critical Skills Classroom model to actively explore how you can make
sure your students are doing the hard work in your classroom.
Laura Thomas, Director
Antioch University New England Center for School Renewal
lthomas@antioch.edu
@CriticalSkills1
http://tinyurl.com/AUNE-EdTech-PBL-NextGen

2. Who’s in the room?

3. Learning Goals
1. Explore PBL and EdTech through the lense of the Critical Skills Classroom
2. PBL or Problem/Project based- a new fad?
3. Trying to find new ways to engage students- some PBL already but what
@ tech?
4. Project-based learning & CSC?
5. Tablets- what do I do with that?
6. Elementary- how to integrate tech w/ CCSS w limited resources?
7. We have diff tech proficiency
8. These are great ideas- how do you apply it when kids have some learned
helpessness? They lack problem-solving skills and willingness to go
further.

4. Challenge
Congratulations! You and your colleagues have been selected
by the US Department of Education to be a part of a team
researching new instructional models for the 21st Century. The
DoE is trying to determine the ways in which various models
support the growth and development of the kinds of citizens
we need for the future. Of particular interest are the answers
to the following questions:
Find the challenge at http://tinyurl.com/PBL-EdTech-
NextGen

5. Questions to Consider:
1.What would this model require teachers, schools and students
to do differently?
2.How would this model fit with the technology currently in use
(or expected use) in your school or district and in the world?
3.Why would this model support students in being better
consumers of technology and media?
4.What if federal/ state/ local curricular expectations (ie, the
CCSS) and/or the technology in use changed?

6. How will we know we’
re done?

7. This work will be done well when…
A Quality Presentation Should Show We Know:
1.What this model require teachers, schools and students to do differently.
2.How this model fits with the technology currently in use (or expected
use) in your school or district and in the world.
3.Why this model supports students in being better consumers of
technology and media.
4.What would happen if this model were in use when federal/ state/ local
curricular expectations (ie, the CCSS) and/or the technology in use
changed.

8. This work will be done well when…
A Quality Presentation Looks Like/ Sounds Like:
1.The entire presentation is no longer than 10 minutes
total.
2.You have included a visual aid or graphic which
supports the audience’s understanding
3.All group members participate in the presentation

9. This work will be done well when…
We know we’re being Quality Collaborators when:
1. Each member of the group plays a part in the creation
of presentation
2. Any member of the group could explain the plan

10. Debrief
What did you do?
How did it work for you as a learner?
What would you do the same/ differently with
your own students?

11. Laura Thomas
Antioch University New England
Center for School Renewal
603.499.1232
lthomas@antioch.edu
@CriticalSkills1
antiochne.edu/acsr