Project Based Learning Discussion Forum

Do you have any examples of Technology Plans?

2010-07-23T14:27:13Z

Do you have any examples of Technology Models or Plans that illustrate the hardware, software, and other technology needs of a PBL school? For instance, we’d love to have 1:1 computing, but what does this really look like at a PBL school?

How do I get teachers on board with these great teaching styles?

2010-11-09T17:30:39Z

The biggest question for me is how to get teachers on board with these great teaching styles. WE know that PBL and various other strategies for learning are the best for our students but how do we convince teachers that are full of excuses. It takes too much time, I don’t know how to use the techniques/programs, I am afraid to fail, etc. I find this to be very frustrating and I don’t know what to do to help people “see the light.”

What ideas do you all have and/or what has worked for you in your schools?

When choosing a topic for a project based learning assignment, do the students have input on the topic?

2010-11-09T19:41:32Z

When choosing a topic for a project based learning assignment, do the students have input on the topic? Also do you consult with other teachers before you select the topic of do they get on board after the project has started?

What are some technology standards for students?

2010-09-08T14:16:36Z

A lot of folks are using ISTE’s Technology Standards and Performance Indicators. It’s a great starting point. I also like the New Media Literacies developed by MIT. I like to call them the Habits of the “Digital” Mind. http://www.newmedialiteracies.org/the-literacies.php

National Educational Technology Standards (NETS•S) and Performance Indicators for Students

1. Creativity and Innovation
Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology. Students:
a. apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes.
b. create original works as a means of personal or group expression.
c. use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues.
d. identifytrendsandforecastpossibilities.

2. Communication and Collaboration
Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others. Students:
a. interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media.
b. communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats.
c. develop cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with learners of other cultures.
d. contributetoprojectteamstoproduceoriginalworksorsolveproblems.

3. Research and Information Fluency
Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. Students:
a. plan strategies to guide inquiry.
b. locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and
media.
c. evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks.
d. processdataandreportresults.

4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources. Students:
a. identify and define authentic problems and significant questions for investigation.
b. plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project.
c. collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions.
d. usemultipleprocessesanddiverseperspectivestoexplorealternativesolutions.

5. Digital Citizenship
Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior. Students:
a. advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology.
b. exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity.
c. demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning.
d. exhibitleadershipfordigitalcitizenship.

6. Technology Operations and Concepts
Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations. Students:
a. understand and use technology systems.
b. select and use applications effectively and productively.
c. troubleshoot systems and applications.
d. transfercurrentknowledgetolearningofnewtechnologies.

© 2007 International Society for Technology in Education. ISTE® is a registered trademark of the International Society for Technology in Education.

How do I teach software that I have no training or experience with?

2009-10-16T10:23:56Z

As teachers we need to solicit the help of our students to become champions of the technology. What I have done along with many other PBL teachers is have the students from the previous years come back to teach our current students. Kinda like paying it “backwards.”

BUT in the very beginning the first group of students needed to be taught. So what are some things you could do that first time around:
- Ask a colleague in the school or outside of the school (a pro) who is familiar with the software to teach the students the basics
- Ask that “techie” student in your class if they wouldn’t mind learning some new software and teaching the class.
- Learn the very basics yourself and usually a handful of student take it and run with it to become the “goto” people

The bigger issue is how to conduct the technical training/lectures. The students have to be actually using the software during the training. It needs to be hands-on. Step by step handouts could only go so far, especially since the software is always changing. Sometimes when I have a choice of software packages, I do look at how much online support materials are available. But in the end, they need to just go in and play around with it.