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I used to think that PBL was like a final project. Now I know that it's about the process and working on a project all through a unit where the lessons relate directly to furthering the project.

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I used to think PBL was a project that had no real structure at all. Also, that it was something that takes too much time develop.
Now I think PBL is not in such of a big ball. It is actually something that is very question driven that could help guide students to even more understanding of topics being discussed.

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I used to think PBL had to be really unstructured and center the child's creative agency.
Now I think PBL can take many different forms to meet the needs of many different contexts-- it's a very flexible system

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I used to think... PBL was completely guided by the children's ideas. I thought that good PBL meant the project emerged naturally rather than being determined by the teacher in advance.

Now I think... There are many ways to do PBL well. Some PBL is more emergent than others. It really depends on the teacher and the age of the children.

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I used to think of project based learning in much smaller terms.  I thought more of short term problem based learning.  I now see that we can use PBL as a way to see the interconnections between subjects and my students personal biography.

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I used to think very shallowly in respect to PBL and this caused significant problems. These problems led me to the point of contemplating whether or not to abandon my project. Now I realize that I can build in more checkpoints, mentoring, and a couple of apps to make them more accountable for their work and give them a greater understanding of "process" over "product." I also need to value the process more as well. I also had confused projects and project based learning. That graphic organizer is going to be a LIFESAVER!! Now that I can see the forest for the trees, I'm already thinking up additional PBLs for the year. :)

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1.  We are currently using project based learning minimally in the classroom. We are brand new to 1:1.
2.We have are having issues with lack of comfort with the technology for our teachers. We also have a very seat work heavy elementary curriculum and it makes it hard to think outside the box.
3.

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-PBL is just starting to be used in my school. I've been doing it more than many other teachers.
- How can I use technology with younger students who barely know how to type?
- I want to use PBL in phonics and vocabulary.

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Taking content research/source info and creating small projects.
How to make the small projects a better tool for learning, comprehending, and 'living' the source information.

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Praise: I've started to use PBL to build text skills and content knowledge.
Question: How to balance open-ended with meeting objectives.
Polish: making it possible for students to use a wider range of media and skillsets.

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Praise- Incorporate several small and large projects each semester to allow students to take more ownership of learning process
Have been teaching 1:1 for 4 years now.
Question - Individual vs. Group pros and cons?
Polish - reduce plagiarism cases

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Praise - team spirit about innovation among teachers
Question - How to get enough writing practice when all the multimedia is available?
Polish - how to spread inquiry into more classrooms
After workshop:
I used to think:  I'll only focus on an app or two in PD this fall.
Now I think:  This will help teachers integrate our 1to1 and inquiry initiatives.  Hope to present some of these thoughts, strategies, and apps during the Laptop exchange days in August.

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Praise- we are doing a better job of student led inquiry and discovery.
Question- How do you help teachers become more willing to teach in a "non-traditional" setting?
Polish- My goal is to empower teachers to utilize technology and PBL to support their teaching goals and needs.

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1. In my classroom, my students do PBL in most of what I teach in my ELA Writing class.  I need to do more of this in my ELA Reading class.
2. I need to make my PBLs more structured and give my students more accountability.
3. I really want to polish the Legacy Project that my students do. This has been a project that my students do over the course of the entire year. It has morphed into a completely different animal that when it began...now I'm at a crossroads and not sure if I should continue or abandon... :(

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1. Praise: PBL looks like children choosing their own big question about text and creating art that includes their ideas and interpretations about their big questions.
2. Question: What scaffolds might make it possible for kindergarten and first grade children to design their own projects using different modes of expression  (art, building, drama, speech) that are most exciting to them? What is the balance of teacher structure and planning vs. completely child-directed and responsive?
3. Polish: I'd like to have more project individualization and small group work next year.

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1. PBL is used but I would love to incorporate more of it throughout the year.

2. How to incorporate PBL in a chemistry classroom using the iPad.

3. I would like my chemistry classroom to be 50-75% PBL.

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1. I'm not in the classroom, but looking for ways to help our teachers use more PBL.

2. No questions yet- Just wanting to learn .

3. I would like to help teachers utilize technology and PBL to help our students.

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I currently do not use PBL.

I am wondering how I will use
PBL for a Calculus class and make sure my students learn enough to successfully pass their AP test.

I am eager to have students use technology to explore mathematical concepts, test conjectures, and prove theorems.

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Praise - PBL is used in very few little in our school. A few teachers use it but is relatively unknown to most of our teachers.

Question - The process.  How to plan for a project from start to finish.

Polish - Be able to present PBL to our teachers.

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-PBL is pretty much nonexistent in my school.  When it does exist, it seems almost accidental.  We have many teachers that do not like to change their way of thinking.

-I am moving to middle school science from ten years of 4th grade.  How can I make my classroom and PBL classroom and meet all the science standards that currently I not as familiar with them like I am with the 4th grade standards I have basically memorized?

-I want students to be able to own their learning vs. being teacher directed. Our students are just too used to not being able to think on their own. They don't always trust their own instincts.

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Praise: Project based learning looks chaotic, engaging and high in energy.

Question: How can I increase the amount of project based learning in my math classes?

Polish: I would like my Algebra 1 course to be 50-70% project based learning.

I use to think that PBL was something similar to just large and long projects that promote critical thinking, but now I think it's much more impactful and thoughtful.

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1. I don't use PBL, but it will soon be forced so I want to get a head start so I can do it my way.
2. No ques-unsure of what I don't know.
3. I want to know how to make it effective so my kids enjoy it and dig deeper.

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What does PBL look like in your room, school or district?

We are working hard to integrate technology and pbl into the classroom.  We have all of the tools and elements to make it work but there is a lack of comfort in using the tools.

What questions or puzzles do you have about PBL?  One of the biggest issues that we have is that our elementary education curriculum is VERY seat work heavy and this makes teachers reluctant to think outside the box as they are worried about "checking all the boxes", finishing all the worksheets, etc.

What is something that you really want to polish or improve for next year?

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Praise: We aren't currently using in my school, but we are checking this out.  PBL = Advanced Thinking & Learning = Creation
Q: How can we help teachers and students understand the difference between PBL and assigning "a project"?  How much or what kind of structure/ questions/ content/ guidelines do we give to make sure students are inspired to THINK and CREATE yet put appropriate effort into creations?
Polish:  I'm just getting started... maybe a project that examines culture and literature connection? Why people tell their stories? Why is it important to care about other people's lives/culture/stories?

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1. Take a "selfie"

2. Go to our Padlet Wall:  https://padlet.com/shawnmccusker61/PBLChicago

3. Briefly answer these questions.

PRAISE - what does Project Based Learning look like in your room, school, or district?

QUESTION - what questions or puzzles do you have about Project Based Learning?

POLISH - what is something that you really want to polish or improve for next year in Project Based Learning?

4. Upload your selfie