How do I get teachers to begin developing and implementing projects as a regular part of their curriculum. All teachers have been through the training and only a few have really tried to implement a project.  Short of threatening them and it effecting their annual evaluation how do I get teachers on board and excited about the process. I think once it becomes a regular part of their curriculum they will see how valuable it is to the students.

Welcome back lmgraham66,

Regarding the “few [that] have really tried to implement a project”, was it a good start?

We just uploaded a simple Project Essentials Checklist that could help evaluate the projects.  Check it out: http://www.bie.org/tools/useful_stuff/project_essentials_checklist

I am most interested in your response to the last item on the checklist.

Recently, I asked two students to present their projects to visitors. They had about a week to review what they had previously done. They chose to redo the PowerPoint and did a great job of presenting their material. I was there when they presented the first time and the second time so so much better and more focused. The teacher was very pleased with their results.  Another presentation I sat through was not very well organized and I didn’t think the students were very well prepared.

I like this checklist. I will distribute it to the teachers for them to begin using. We have an In-service Monday focused solely on PBL. Rody is coming again so I am hoping this will be what the teachers need to get busy and get some projects planned.

Just some quick thoughts that have worked in the past to hopefully start a groundswell:

Start With What They Know. Have the staff critique projects (http://www.bie.org/tools/videos/cat/pbl_in_practice) to help them shape/define, “What is a project?”. See http://www.bie.org/tools/useful_stuff/critical_friends

Take Baby Steps.  Work out the process of going through a project cycle to figure out your style.  It is also easier to replicate than to innovate.

Support the First Movers.  It is important for the teacher and the students that the first project is successful.

Exhibition Changes Schools. Create transparency to what is going on in the classroom.  Make everyone feel special.

Friendly Competition Isn’t a Bad Thing. Other teachers just want to see what it looks like or the potential…so they could do it better!

Celebrate Lessons Learned.  Someone once told me, “You don’t do a project until the second time.”  Focus on growth.  It takes time.

I agree with Alfred and supporting the first movers. Ask them to share their experiences (both good and bad).  Help them to reflect on their projects using the checklist and rubric provided by BIE. From there, help these first movers to grow and move forward. FInd ways to support their own professional development. One thing that has started to happen in my district is administrators structuring their trainings and PD in the PBL format so that they can get a feel of planning and implementing a unit.  They model the process for the staff and show alot of trust and transparency in doing so.  the PBL process is one all professionals use to address real world problems and can therefore be applied to anything.  Schools and staffs are constantly facing problems and PBL gives a structure or framework to address those problem.  If teachers can learn by doing just as students do in PBL, they are more likely to buy in and try it.  My experience has shown me that PBL creates an enjoyable classroom or endless inquiry that students want to be in.  It is no different with staff.  My last peiece of advice would be to attach the “new to the known.”  Look at what initiatives your school has already implemented and connect them with PBL.  Best Practices are Best Practices and PBL should not b seen as “one more thing on my plate.”  It is not something extra; it is another lens to look through.  If your staff sees this as another initiative caused by the pendulum swing of education, at most you will have passive compliance and no action.  I have seen Alfred present and he always asks the audience after he has gone over the “what” of PBL, “is this evolution or revolution?”  The ultimate end result is a revolution of the traditional classroom but it must evolve within it.

Also check out this latest blog post…

How to start a PBL movement?
http://biepbl.blogspot.com/2010/10/how-to-start-pbl-movement.html