Support for PBL (Project-based learning)

Zoom can support project-based learning in a synchronous environment by

• Utilizing the breakrooms for students to directly collaborate with their peers on their projects. Teachers can pop in to breakout rooms to observe and support students as they brainstorm.

• Screen share: Students can share their screens with one another to share progress. Screen sharing is great for project-based learning as it adds a visual component to support ELs and visual learners. This promotes participation and engagement as each student can have an opportunity to share their screen and explain their progress to the rest of the group. They are engaged during this by offering constructive feedback to their peers as they continue their project.

• Chat: Students engaging in live interactions on zoom may miss an opportunity to ask a question. The chat room can be utilized for any missed questions or further clarification if the audio/visual component is not being utilized. This encourages participation from all students, including those who may be quiet or more anxious to speak aloud.

• Opportunity for personalization and participation: Because project-based learning aligns with student-led learning, students can be given guidelines on expectations for a zoom collaboration but are given the liberty to collaborate in a way that is most beneficial for the students, allowing an opportunity to personalize their experience.

Justification

Zoom works best as a synchronous tool as it requires a set schedule where students must log on and attend class.

PBL unit

Zoom can be used for students assigned to complete a project on the four regions of California. Students are grouped on an assigned region where they must research different aspects of said region. Students can use Zoom to host collaborative breakout sessions. Students can take on the role of a geographers as they present their project and educate their instructor and peers on the elements of their region.

ISTE standard alignment

1.1b Customized Learning Environments

Students build networks and customize their learning environments in ways that support the learning process.

Students are utilizing this platform and its tools to brainstorm ideas, collaborate, and present their project.

Support for PBL

• Canva promotes creativity in the classroom as there are various different templates and creative options available for students to demonstrate their knowledge.

• Engagement and participation is encouraged through the use of Canva because students can experiment with different templates, graphic images, and other media elements that will help enhance their project.

• Additionally, Canva offers also encourages participation because the creativity allows for students to personalize their learning, even through a project-based learning approach

Justification

Canva can be used for both synchronous and asynchronous learning because students can be on a shared template where each student is completing their portion independently or students can utilize the comment section of a template and provide feedback. Students can also collaborate on Canva synchronously through the whiteboard feature where feedback is provided in live-time.

PBL unit

Students can work on a social studies unit where each group is researching an assigned California Native American tribe and must create a multimedia presentation presenting information on the culture, location, ceremonies, and food in regards to their tribe.

ISTE standard

1.6 Creative Communicator

Students communicate clearly and express themselves creatively for a variety of purposes using the platforms, tools, styles, formats and digital media appropriate to their goals.

Students are using Canva to creatively demonstrate their knowledge on the given task.

Support for PBL

• Students can support project-based learning by offering students a resource where brainstorming ideas can be saved into one place. Students can keep track of their ideas, organize, and plan out portions of their project that will be simple to track.

• Students are engaged and encouraged to participate by offering students multiple means of expressing their thoughts, which also adds differentiated support for visual and audio learners.

Justification

Padlet can be used during synchronous classes where utilizing Padlet during a virtual group meeting, each student can access and add notes to their shared Padlet wall in real time. Teachers also have access and can offer guidance and feedback during class sessions.

PBL unit

Students can work on a project where they must research and present information on different local plant species and determine which would be the most sustainable if planted on campus.

ISTE standard

1.3a Curate Information

Students curate information from digital resources using a variety of tools and methods to create collections of artifacts that demonstrate meaningful connections or conclusions.

Students are curating information from their research and organizing the information on Padlet and demonstrating said information creatively by utilizing the different tools offered by Padlet to make meaningful connections.

Support for PBL

• Google Workspace supports PBL by offering students different collaborative tools that can be used, such as Google Docs to store and organize note-taking and meeting notes, Google Slides to create presentations, and Google Meet, which allows students to meet at their own time when needed.

• With Google Workspace, students can create shared folders that helps all students organize and keep track of their progress and with the different tools and applications offered, students have creative liberty to choose and use what works best for their own group. Having so many options promotes engagement and participation for each group member.

• Differentiation for different learning needs and personalization is offered by allowing students to access the shared folders independently so they may make progress as a whole, at their individual pace.

Justification

Google Workspace works best for asynchronous learning because students have access to shared documents and can work self-paced and leave feedback for their peers to review at their own time.

PBL unit

A project students can work on is creating a timeline for a major historical war in the world to present and creating a quiz to assess their classmates afterwards.

ISTE standard

1.1d Technology Fundamentals

Students understand fundamental concepts of how technology works, demonstrate the ability to choose and use current technologies effectively, and are adept at thoughtfully exploring emerging technologies.

Google Workspace supports this standard because students are able to experiment with Google Workspace application is most appropriate for the objective of the lesson and they are learning to use the applications for different purposes as they relate to their project and the plan to achieve the objective.

Support for PBL

• TikTok supports PBL by promoting creativity, engagement, and participation of students through connections with popular trends that they are familiar with

• Through TikTok, students have creative liberty to choose the way they'd like to demonstrate their knowledge to their peers.

• Students are engaged and willing to participate though the excitement of connecting their learning to something they are familiar with and enjoy watching. Additionally, learning is personalized because students can brainstorm and create a short video that showcases the students' personal interests and creative knowledge

  
  

Justification

TikTok best supports asynchronous learning by allowing students to create and contribute to their project at their own pace. The group videos can be linked on an LMS where students can view the videos at their own time.

PBL project

Students can be assigned a short fictional story and students must create a skit or short song that summarizes the plot (conflict and resolution) of the story using modern terms

ISTE standard

1.2.a Digital Footprint

Students manage their digital identity and understand the lasting impact of their online behaviors on themselves and others and make safe, legal and ethical decisions in the digital world.

Students are contributing to their digital footprint by participating in a project using social media. Students are responsibly using TikTok to create a fun sketch.

Support for PBL

• Nearpod can support PBL by promoting multiple means of engagement during a live-session presentation. With multiple options for engagement, different learning needs are met with the use of Nearpod.

• Students can use Nearpod to create an engaging and participant heavy presentation by embedding opportunities throughout the lesson to check their classmates' progress and understanding of the information.

• Nearpod is appealing for differentiated instruction because students can access the live-presentation and follow along on their own screens for a better visualization of the material.

  
  

Justification

Nearpod works best for synchronous learning because students can access the presentation from their own device and attended a synchronized lesson where the presenters are the ones in control of the pacing. Any interactive components can implemented during a live session for immediate feedback.

PBL unit

Students can create a presentation about the different California missions. Within this project, students can explore the virtual fieldtrip component and create a virtual fieldtrip on their assigned mission, offering a guided exploration to their peers.

ISTE standard

1.6.a Choose Platforms or Tools

Students choose the appropriate platforms and digital tools for meeting the desired objectives of their creation or communication.

Students are using Nearpod to create an interactive presentation and virtual fieldtrip to help meet the desired objective of implementing interactive technology to teach to their classmates.

Support for PBL

• Go Pangea promotes engagement and participation by connecting students with other students around the world, motivating them to participate in the topic discussions to learn about the multiple perspectives that they will encounter

• This experience can become personalized because students may encounter new cultures and languages, some that they may relate or have deeper connections with.

  
  

Justification

Go Pangea works best for asynchronous learning because students can reply and check their discussion posts at their own time

PBL unit

A project students can work on using Go Pangea is each group of students can create an essential question that they are curious about in regards to a culture outside of their own. Then, the question can be posted on Go Pangea, opening up a discussion that invites students from other parts of the world to contribute to.

ISTE standard

1.7.a Global Connections

Students use digital tools to connect with peers from a variety of backgrounds recognizing diverse viewpoints and broadening mutual understanding.

By creating an open discussion with students around the world through Go Pangea, students are engaged in standard 1.7a by incorporating technology as a tool to connect with students from multiple backgrounds, exposing them to new perspectives and learning about other cultures.

Support for PBL

• Tract supports PBL by encouraging student-driven learning through a creative outlet

• Tract promotes engagement and participating by connecting the students' learning to relevant activities

• Tract also supports differentiation by offering students an alternative way of demonstrating their knowledge

Justification

Tract works for both a synchronous and asynchronous environment because students can work on brainstorming ideas and collaborating on the outcome of the video they'd like to create, but can record their portion of the video at their own time. The instructor can upload the completed videos to an LMS where students can view their peers' videos and offer feedback at their own time.

PBL unit

Students can work on a project where they must teach their classmates how to divide with remainders through a song or skit.

ISTE standard

1.6.d Customize the Message

Students publish or present content that customizes the message and medium for their intended audiences.

Through Tract, students are creating either a skit or a song to help present their project to their audience.

Support for PBL

• Explain everything supports engagement and participation by giving students a shared folder where each participant can contribute to their shared whiteboard

• Differentiation for multiple learner needs and creative opportunities are included through embedded tools such as options for voice recording, images, text, illustrations, and other options

Justification

Explain Everything works great for both synchronous and asynchronous learning because students can contribute to their shared whiteboard on their own time and at their own pace and can meet with the instructor during live-sessions for immediate feedback and opportunities for collaboration in live-time.

PBL unit

Students can be grouped together to create an interactive presentation where students research a type of natural disaster and offer tips for survival and discuss the aftermath of the disaster.

ISTE standard

1.7.d Local and Global Issues

Students explore local and global issues, and use collaborative technologies to work with others to investigate solutions.

Students are researching real natural disasters and utilizing Explain Everything to inform their classmates and offer safety tips.

Support for PBL

• Trello is a great tool for project-based learning as it helps students collaborate, organize, and plan their projects.

• Trello supports participation and engagement by offering multiple ways for students to collaborate on a group project such as: a planner/checklist/calendar to track tasks and due dates, organized cards for brainstorming, an easy-to-find resource hub, and more

• With so many options for collaboration, Trello provides a personalized learning experience as each group can determine the best way to collaborate and organize their work

Justification

Trello is a great tool for both synchronous and asynchronous learning. Students can collaborate both at their own time and in live-time during synchronous sessions through the chatroom and screen sharing on other synchronous applications, like Zoom.

PBL unit

A project students can work on through Trello is on the water cycle, demonstrating the different phases and providing video/illustrative/or graphic examples of water's movement through an environment. Trello can be used to help keep track of due dates, save links to images and videos that will be used, brainstorming ideas, and chats between group members

ISTE standard

1.1d Technology Fundamentals

Students understand fundamental concepts of how technology works, demonstrate the ability to choose and use current technologies effectively, and are adept at thoughtfully exploring emerging technologies.

With so many organizational resources embedded within Trello, students are developing skills and understanding of how to organize, collaborate, and effectively communicate to complete a group project.