This document provides an overview of Project Based Learning (PBL) and student inquiry learning being used in School District 57. It discusses: 1. Curriculum and instruction approaches currently used in the district. 2. Gathering student and teacher perspectives on learning experiences through a question posed by High Tech High founder Larry Rosenstock. 3. Details on PBL including a definition, example project on technology mimicking biology, and strategies for triggering student inquiry through projects and obtaining high-quality student work. Resources for additional information on PBL are also listed.

1. Project Based Learning and
Student Inquiry Learning in SD57
Steve Chase, Resource Teacher
Email: schase@sd57.bc.ca
Twitter: @Chase_Steve
Blog: sd57learning@blogspot.ca

2. Today
1. Curriculum and Instruction in SD57
2. Student and Teacher Perspectives
3. Project Based Learning
a) Defined and Illustrated
b) Strategies
c) Resources
4. New Curriculum

3. 1. Curriculum and Instruction in SD57
On First Class
Email “Need to Know”
Updates

4. Describe a memorable
learning experience from
elementary or secondary
school.
Larry Rosenstock from High
Tech High asked staff the
same question an noticed the
following common elements:
“It was a project
It had a mentorship
It involved community
There was risk of failure
There was recognition of
success
There was a public exhibition”

5. 2. Student and Teacher
Perspectives

6. Curiosity
Creation
Connection
What do we want our
student experience to
look like?

7. 3. Student and Teacher Perspectives
Social
Emotional
Learning
Assessment
for
Learning
21st Century
Learning
Project Based Learning

8. 3a) Project Based Learning Example:
“How Does Technology Mimic Biology?” Project

9. 3a) Project Based Learning Example:
“How Does Technology Mimic Biology?” Project
Sub Questions:
• How does the eye work?
• What structures make up the eye and what are
their functions?
• How does light behave?
• How does light behave in optical devices (such
as eyes and cameras)?
• How can we design a working pinhole camera?
• How are the structures and functions of a
pinhole camera similar to and different from
that of the eye?

10. 3a) Project Based Learning Definition
from Buck Institute for Education

11. 3a) Project Based Learning Definition
What kinds of strategies, activities, and experiences fit this
definition of Project Based Learning or encourage the
boarder actions Curiosity? Connection? Creation?
Curiosity
Creation
Connection

12. 3b) Project Based
Learning Strategies
“How to Trigger
Students’ Inquiry
Through Projects”
By Jane Krauss and Suzie
Boss via the MindShift Blog
Step 1—Identify Projectworthy Concepts
Step 2—Explore Their
Significance and Relevance
Step 3—Find Real-Life Contexts
Step 4—Engage
Critical Thinking
Step 5—Write a Project Sketch
Step 6—Plan the Setup
One Last Step – Workshop your
project idea

13. 1.
3b) Project Based
Learning Strategies
“How to Get High-Quality
Student Work in PBL”
by John Larmer, BIE Editor in
Cheif
2.
3.
4.
5.
1. Did I use rubrics and exemplars
to help students understand the
quality of work expected?
2. Did my project include
effective formative assessment?
3. Did students have enough time
to revise and polish their work?
4. Did the project feel authentic
enough to motivate students –
did they care?
5. Does my classroom – and
my school – cultivate a culture of
quality?

14. 3c) Project Based Learning Resources

15. 3c) Project Based Learning Resources

16. 3c) Project Based Learning Resources
For more check out sd57learning.blogspot.ca
BIE Resources
“Work that matters: The teacher’s
guide to project-based learning”

17. 4. New Curriculum