Project Based Learning Discussion Forum

Leadership Issues Implementing PBL

2011-04-28T15:03:12Z

Could anyone suggest scholarly sources that discuss how administrative leaders at the district level(superintendent) to the site levels(Principals and APs) go about introducing/ implementing/ monitoring a gradual curricular shift from traditional curriculum to a PBL based curriculum . For example the problems of"selling” the faculty (regardless of time in profession) on PBL (buy in), how to deal with teacher “push back”, not teaching to the test, etc.

Is it possible to implement PBL in a school where that model is not used school-wide or department-wide?

2011-03-25T09:33:37Z

This looks like a great idea that I would like to implement next year. It looks like PBL is implemented at New Tech schools. I teach at a traditional school, I have 30-34 kids in a class ranging from gifted to special ed. The videos I’ve seen seem to have small classes and a certain “caliber” of student, so my first question is Is it possible to implement PBL in a school where that model is not used school-wide or department-wide?

Secondly, What are the costs associated with implementing PBL? What materials or supplies should I have on hand? If I were to write a grant for assistance, what type of items would I need to request?

Can anyone recommend core subject curriculum that we could purchase as a starting point?

2010-12-07T08:40:17Z

Hello,

We are in the planning grant phase for a new arts and culture PBL 6-12 charter school in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Can anyone recommend core subject curriculum that we could purchase as a starting point? We are hoping to integrate several existing programs in addition to creating new projects unique to our school and geographic location.

Thanks in advance,
Jeremy Harrison

How to start a PBL movement?

2010-10-08T14:27:05Z

At the start of this week, John Mergendoller, our Executive Director & Resident Banjo Player at BIE, sent out a video via email. When I first started watching this video of “the shirtless dancing guy”, I thought it was joke. But the video ended up starting a great conversation amongst the staff.

Check it out on our blog at http://biepbl.blogspot.com/2010/10/how-to-start-pbl-movement.html

What 21st Century Skills should we focus on?

2009-12-16T13:54:36Z

The Partnership for 21st Century skills (http://www.21stcenturyskills.org) has been taking a lot of heat of late. One New York based blogger (http://nycrubberroomreporter.blogspot.com/2009/09/partnership-for-21st-century-skills-p21.html) has drawn a lot of attention by claiming that the P21 folks have mis-identified the component skills required to be a 21st century learner. The Buck Institute realizes there is much debate, rightfully so, about 21st Century Skills. We have drawn a line in the sand, saying that we only feel comfortable focusing on 21st Century Skills that are supported by teaching materials and assessments (rubrics), such as those found in the resource section of this site. The three skills we focus on are communication, collaboration and critical thinking/problem solving.

How do you connect projects & standards?

2010-02-04T17:08:19Z

How does a project-focused school identify the level of performance and range of skills students are expected to gain during a given school year or by the time they graduate? How closely or not closely are courses connected to state standards? How does a PBL program wrap itself around expectations of what all students should know, and how does the program set an expected level of performance?