Vicky Florou - My learning diary for the PBL course by Vicky Florou https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu made in the hope of lifelong learning en-us 2017-10-17 20:39:22 UTC 2023-02-21 15:15:22 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Folder.png vickyflorou2016 https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/198425903 2017-10-18 19:07:00 UTC https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/198425903 My school vickyflorou2016 https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/198426374 I work at a secondary Art school which offers general education but also extra classes in the Fine and the Performing Arts.  ]]> 2017-10-18 19:08:06 UTC https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/198426374 vickyflorou2016 https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/199035280 2017-10-20 13:09:54 UTC https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/199035280 1.1. What is PBL vickyflorou2016 https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/199039360 What I find really interesting is that simply doing projects is very different from project based learning. I hope that this course will enlighten me as to how I can implement successful projects, so as to educate 21st century students by focusing on collaboration,  communication, critical thinking,  and creativity. ]]> 2017-10-20 13:18:19 UTC https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/199039360 How to Design Project-Based Learning Activities vickyflorou2016 https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/199201859 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3yAODXnAsg]]> 2017-10-20 19:47:31 UTC https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/199201859 Project Based Learning: Am I Doing it Right? How Do I know? vickyflorou2016 https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/199203633 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tE6WHn0-cSQ]]> 2017-10-20 19:56:32 UTC https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/199203633 1.4 Components of good PBL Five Keys to Rigorous Project-Based Learning vickyflorou2016 https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/199207335 1. Real World Connection
2. Core to Learning
3. Structured Collaboration
4. Student Driven
5. Multifaceted Assessment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnzCGNnU_WM]]> 2017-10-20 20:15:09 UTC https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/199207335 1.4 Components of good PBL vickyflorou2016 https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/199209969  In my teaching context, it is really difficult to achieve collaboration in the form of teamwork among students. First of all, they are not used to this kind of learning and they often react when asked to work in groups. They tend to prefer individual work, though not always and not all of them. Moreover, the classrooms do not allow for teamwork due to lack of space, the traditional seating arrangement and the noise made every time the students have to move chairs and desks so as to collaborate. Another difficulty has to do with the reluctance of many teachers to try something new which moves them away from the role they are used to having. ]]> 2017-10-20 20:29:24 UTC https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/199209969 1.3 Reflections on my current teaching practice vickyflorou2016 https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/199217423 I mainly try to use the communicative approach in teaching English as a foreign language in my school in Athens, Greece. I want to give my students the opportunity to use the language for real communication purposes. Therefore, I try to involve them in activities that can make them realize the importance of learning English for their future life as citizens of the world. In this context, I collaborate with colleagues of various subjects such as Maths, Physics, History, Environmental Studies and apply an interdisciplinary approach. Students find this really motivating, so they become actively involved and of course have to work in groups.
One of the challenges I have to face is insufficient technology. There are no computers in our classrooms, there is only one computer lab and there are only two projectors for the entire school. Therefore it's rather hard to plan activities that involve a lot of technology. Still, I don't give up. The good thing is that some of my colleagues are very cooperative and we implement interesting lessons together. Needless to say that we bring our own laptops from home!
In this context, I am going to experiment with PBL with my 9th-grade students. We have lessons twice a week and we are going to deal with the topic of Cultural Heritage and Tourism.


]]> 2017-10-20 21:16:59 UTC https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/199217423 2. Developing effective collaboration for PBL vickyflorou2016 https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/200280044 This picture shows what I believe about collaboration. To see the whole picture we all need to contribute by adding something that we know or have. There is no point in having something and keeping it for yourself only. To make progress, to gain knowledge, we all need to share information and at the same time put the pieces together.   This is how we, as teachers, should try to educate our students. They need to learn by doing and having hands-on experience and this is best implemented in a relaxed atmosphere where they feel they are working together not alone. ]]> 2017-10-25 06:23:07 UTC https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/200280044 2.2 What is effective collaboration? vickyflorou2016 https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/200521091 21st-century learning
  • collaboration
  • knowledge construction
  • self-regulation
  • real-world problem-solving and innovation
  • the use of ICT for learning
  • skilled communication

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=Cqh4Hr7Gzzk
]]> 2017-10-25 17:12:56 UTC https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/200521091 2.3 Effective Collaboration for PBL inside the Classroom vickyflorou2016 https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/200526551 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WdTS9u0h10]]> 2017-10-25 17:23:24 UTC https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/200526551 2.3 An activity to develop effective collaboration vickyflorou2016 https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/200547804 I often give my students photos of a story in pieces. The pieces are scattered around the classroom and they are as many as the groups of students. What they have to do is decide who looks where and once they find the pieces they have to sit down and put them in the right order so as to create a meaningful story. They have to decide on the content, the characters and the action and then the audience that they will present their story to. This is quite challenging as they have to do everything in English. (it's the subject I teach)]]> 2017-10-25 17:59:02 UTC https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/200547804 2.4 eTwinning impact on learners vickyflorou2016 https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/200552820 https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=163&v=aj5jlCdcnI8]]> 2017-10-25 18:07:18 UTC https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/200552820 1.5 The Driving Question // My non-Googleable questions vickyflorou2016 https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/201393232 “What does it mean to be a healthy eater?” (Googleable)
How will the food you eat every day affect your life in the future?  (non-Googleable)

“How are airplane wings constructed?”  (Googleable)

Imagine you can travel back in time and meet two mythological characters, Dedalus and Icarus, the first people to fly. How would you help them build better, stronger and safer wings?  (non-Googleable)

]]> 2017-10-28 09:01:38 UTC https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/201393232 1.1 What is PBL? Main course not Desert vickyflorou2016 https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/201393929 http://www.bie.org/object/document/main_course_not_dessert]]> 2017-10-28 09:15:57 UTC https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/201393929 1.6 My Driving Question vickyflorou2016 https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/201398964 Student Age: 14 / 9th grade
Subject: English Language
Topic: Cultural Heritage and Tourism
Learning goals: 

·         knowledge of vocabulary related to culture, history,  tourism
·         development of writing and oral skills
·         group work and collaboration
·         creating a product in a real-world scenario 

Driving Question: 
With your group, choose an area of historical and cultural interest in your country. How can you and your group help local people promote tourism in their area? 

]]> 2017-10-28 10:28:02 UTC https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/201398964 3. Developing student-driven activities for PBL vickyflorou2016 https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/203450681  Describe a situation in your professional or personal life where you were first unsuccessful but because you stuck with it you succeeded in the end. Finish by identifying why you stuck with the problem/task and did not give up.

When I first tried to use computers in TEFL, in an effort to implement CALL, many years ago, I had to face strong resistance from other teaching staff who believed that foreign language teachers should have nothing to do with computers in the classroom. The experience made me determined to continue and now, although there are still many problems because of insufficient technology and equipment in my school, I always find ways to incorporate technology in my lessons. ]]> 2017-11-03 19:10:27 UTC https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/203450681 3.2 Developing Student Resilience vickyflorou2016 https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/203467960 Resilience refers to the capacity to return to good mental health after challenging and difficult situations. It is not one specific thing, but a combination of skills and attributes that help to solve problems, cope with challenges, adapt and bounce back when things don´t go as planned. Resilient people learn from their mistakes, they look at their failures and mistakes as lessons to be learned from, and as opportunities for growth.
It is possible to develop resilience in our students through a combination of setting out the right environment, building positive relationships, and offering space for independent decisions.  ]]> 2017-11-03 20:16:14 UTC https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/203467960 3.1 Scaffolding for Student Ownership and Independence vickyflorou2016 https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/203470616 Independence is very important but also difficult to achieve. It has to be done gradually, so that students can see the difference and realize the benefits while feeling safe to jump. We need to be supportive when they face a failure and encourage them all the time to continue their efforts. They also need to be trained as to how they can have ownership of their learning procedure.]]> 2017-11-03 20:26:52 UTC https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/203470616 3.2 Developing Student Resilience vickyflorou2016 https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/203472678 Identify how we as teachers can weaken our student's confidence and independence
In most cases, we as teachers want to be in control. The reason for this is the traditional way we tend to adopt,  but also the fact that there is never enough time to cover the requirements of the curriculum. As a result, we don't allow for independence to develop, we don't give enough opportunities to students to search themselves for answers and we rush to provide them with the so called correct answer.  ]]> 2017-11-03 20:36:30 UTC https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/203472678 My learning designer vickyflorou2016 https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/203684167 http://learningdesigner.org/viewer.php?uri=/personal/vflorou/designs/fid/cfc70c31cfb1885153fc7117a892b63b8801f72fbe77d5bcbc0becbae0668552]]> 2017-11-05 21:04:12 UTC https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/203684167 2.5 Useful online collaboration tools vickyflorou2016 https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/203691258 1) www.smore.com
    electronic flyers and newsletters
2) www.prezi.com
    electronic presentations
3) www.haikudeck.com
    electronic presentations
4) www.kizoa.com
    movie and video maker
5) www.mentimeter.com
    electronic presentations
6) https://spark.adobe.com/
   graphics, web pages, videos

]]> 2017-11-05 22:08:32 UTC https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/203691258 4. Assessing PBL: My Assessment Context vickyflorou2016 https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/204559129 In my country, we do have to give tests and exams so as to assess the students in secondary education.  In some subjects, such as English, we have more freedom as to the kind of assessment we use. I try to assess my students based on the work they do every day in the classroom, the assignments they complete, the homework they hand in.  Participation in the class activities is important to me and so is collaboration. ]]> 2017-11-07 19:48:28 UTC https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/204559129 4.2 Embedding Assessment into PBL vickyflorou2016 https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/204563051 Assessment as part of PBL should not only come at the end but should be seen as a learning activity that is embedded throughout the PBL process.]]> 2017-11-07 19:56:15 UTC https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/204563051 4.3 The Ladder of Feedback vickyflorou2016 https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/204698677
After a student shares a work-in-progress with peers, his peers will:
1. Ask clarifying questions they have about the work. Some ideas may seem unclear, or information may be missing. This
step helps peers gather relevant information before they give feedback.
2. State what they value, or comment on the strengths of the work. Expressing appreciation for ideas is fundamental
to the process of constructive feedback. Stressing the positive points of the work sets a supportive tone during the
feedback session, and helps people to identify strengths in their work they might not have recognized otherwise.
3. Raise any concerns they may have about the work. During this step, honest thoughts and concerns are raised in a
constructive, non-threatening way. “What I wonder about is . . .” and “Have you considered . . .” are examples of how
concerns may be framed.
4. Make suggestions about how the work could be improved. Give suggestions, based on problems identified in the
concerns step, that can help the student use the feedback to revise his work and make improvements. There is no
guarantee the learner will use the suggestions, nor need there be a guarantee. Suggestions are just that—suggestions,
not mandates.]]> 2017-11-08 08:02:12 UTC https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/204698677 vickyflorou2016 https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/205065843 2017-11-08 21:23:45 UTC https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/205065843 4.2 Simple Formative Assessment Strategies vickyflorou2016 https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/205488742 https://www.teachthought.com/technology/20-simple-assessment-strategies-can-use-every-day/]]> 2017-11-09 20:09:50 UTC https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/205488742 4.2. Peer Instruction as an Assessment Strategy vickyflorou2016 https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/205494705 Peer instruction
"Perhaps the most accurate way to check for understanding is to have one student try to teach another student what she’s learned. If she can do that successfully, it’s clear she understood your lesson."
]]> 2017-11-09 20:23:06 UTC https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/205494705 4.3 Peer Assessment for PBL vickyflorou2016 https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/205504514 It is not common practice in our schools to use peer assessment, therefore I'm not very comfortable with it. I've used rubrics of assessment in some cases when doing project work with the students. However, these rubrics were given to all teachers to use, so we didn't have any say on them, nor did the students. I'm willing to try to incorporate this kind of assessment in my learning design and I do feel that peer assessment seems promising and rewarding. ]]> 2017-11-09 20:49:01 UTC https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/205504514 Project Design Rubric vickyflorou2016 https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/205524805 Buck Institute for Education]]> 2017-11-09 22:02:35 UTC https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/205524805 vickyflorou2016 https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/214831876 2017-12-10 18:16:03 UTC https://padlet.com/vickyflorou2016/6r12bg5avzyu/wish/214831876