Sixth - PBLWorks 101 Accreditation - 3 Day Course
Many of you requested this course to be offered for the 6th time! The PBLWorks (Buck Institute) PBL (Project Based Learning) 101 Accreditation 3 day Course for Lutheran Educators across all regions occurred last fortnight.
The engagement and learning was again high and extremely authentic in developing skills in project based learning.
The partnership between the PBLworks who are world leaders in Project Based Learning and Lutheran Education is extremely rich and fulfilling.
Derek Bartels
Learning Leader: Innovation
derek.bartels@levnt.edu.au
Before & After (Some of the Participants’ Comments): In what ways, has some of the thinking about Project Based Learning changed as a result of this session?
Before this session, I used to think...
I didn't really think much about it.
PBL was something I did once I had taught skills to my students.
I used to think PBL was all or nothing'.
That project-based learning stems from a problem but it can be based on extending ideas.
It was difficult but didn't know much about PBL.
That PBL was an "add-on" to learning in schools.
That I was pretty good at creating PBL units.
PBL was unattainable for Year One students.
that PBL was all about completing projects.
What is PBL?
I used to think PBL was another form of collaborative learning.
PBL needed more than one subject input.
I only knew the basics of PBL.
It was a great learning tool, but haven't had time to explore it.
That planning for a PBL was overwhelming and hard.
That it was just an integrated unit.
It was more about dessert.
PBL was a bit loose and maybe left a lot of students in the cold learning-wise.
That PBL had something to do with projects but I was unclear on "what it was".
As a result of this session, I now think…
I understand what it is and I can see that it would benefit students a lot as learners.
PBL is the vehicle in which I can teach skills to my students.
PBL can be a "dimmer switch" approach where I can enhance different aspects as needed.
Of the importance of intentionally teaching and assessing student competencies
PBL is a fantastic pedagogical approach and one that engages and promotes student knowledge and skills.
That PBL can be an integral part of learning in the classroom - not as an "add-on" but embedded as a pedagogical approach.
That I have so much more I can do in the classroom to engage and motivate my students through PBL.
It is completely attainable, the only limit being the teacher.
That PBL goes much deeper than completing projects. Rather, PBL is a social justice pedagogy that encourages equity and meaningful growth not just academically, but socially and personally.
Oh, it's the way I can take the big ideas I know about learning and put them into action.
Now I feel it's a combination of a broad range of strategies and ideas aimed at developing skills and knowledge for our students to find meaning with and connect with.
PBL can be utilised in multiple ways.
And acknowledge that I know a lot more than I thought I did and feel comfortable in the PBL space.
That I can use PBL to deepen students learning through authentic inquiry.
That planning for a PBL is still hard work but I love the the way the planning was broken down and it now feels manageable. I can also see all the areas I used to breakdown in - this PD was a great mirror!
Integration is a part of it but students are the drivers of the learning.
This is an engaging, impactful, authentic, rich and meaningful way to teach.
It is far from loose, with great intentionality, purpose and builds skills for all students.
That I have a deeper understanding of what PBL is and how I can design a PBL unit.
