Professional Development
BIE conducts Project Based Learning Professional Development for high school educators throughout the United States. These activities prepare participants to design, conduct and assess standards-focused projects. Using BIE’s proven design principles as a starting point, we customize each workshop to meet the specific needs of your school. Costs depend upon school location, length of professional development and number of participants. Contact David Ross (415-883-0122 x 309) for more information on pricing or workshop content.
All of the following professional development activities are facilitated by expert teachers who have substantial project experience. Videoconferencing allows an effective and inexpensive way to provide support after the workshop ends.
- Introduction to PBL workshop – In this 6-hour workshop, participants are introduced to Project Based Learning and work with other educators to outline a project.
- Project Based Learning workshop – In this two-day workshop, participants learn the design principles for creating and managing standards-focused projects. Through a combination of instruction and group work, participants have the opportunity to plan and discuss a fully-designed project. It is highly recommended that schools arrange at least one additional follow-up day at a later date to review and critique project implementation and results.
- Project Based Learning coaching – Schools can arrange for 5 - 7 days of instruction and coaching in PBL. This includes the two day workshop, as well as extensive follow-up throughout the school year. This format is appropriate for small high schools or small learning communities interested in establishing a high performance culture, with PBL as one of the chief modes of instruction.
- Assessing Projects workshop – an introduction to performance-based assessment and the opportunity to develop rubrics and other performance-based assessment tools. One day with one follow-up day to review and revise assessment tools.
- Using PBL-Online workshop or coaching – Technical assistance is available to schools or other organizations interested in helping their staff use the online resources at www.PBL-Online.org. PBL-Online is a rich, multi-level resource for PBL teachers, both experts and those new to PBL. The site provides introduces and explains Project Based Learning using both text and video. In addition, it guides users through the planning of a standards-focused project. A project library is presently being assembled. Assistance also includes an introduction to existing school networks that connect classrooms and use technology to support collaborative projects nationally and globally.
- Referrals to partner organizations – PBL workshops using BIE methodology are also available through the Rutgers University Center for Effective School Practices (CESP) in Newark, N.J. In addition to PBL workshops, CESP offers a wide variety of educational support programs to educators and schools on the East Coast.
- BIE Summer Workshop – Each June, BIE offers a two-day project based learning professional development workshops for 20 participants in BIE facilities in Novato, California. The cost is $450 and includes all materials, breakfasts and lunches. BIE will help participants arrange accommodations, if desired. The 2008 Project Based Learning Professional Development Workshop will be held on Thursday and Friday, June 19 & 20, 2008.
