https://padlet.com/jillstowewalsh/8f7ug0crtn1b PBL explained for ITL 522 en-us 2018-06-07 13:31:49 UTC 2026-01-29 13:42:23 UTC hello@padlet.com jillstowewalsh https://padlet.com/jillstowewalsh/8f7ug0crtn1b/wish/266110889

]]> 2018-06-07 13:31:49 UTC https://padlet.com/jillstowewalsh/8f7ug0crtn1b/wish/266110889 jillstowewalsh https://padlet.com/jillstowewalsh/8f7ug0crtn1b/wish/266110890 The benefits of using PBL for all learners when it is designed properly are myriad. They include strong student motivation because they are working on real-world problems that they evaluate as important to them. UDL principles are baked-in to the projects PBL gives students voice and choice of roles, and it provides multiple means of engagement, representation, and expression. UDL principles must be used when planning instruction because there is predicted learner variability that teachers can and should plan for in every lesson. Learner variability means that teachers must differentiate not only instruction but also accept multiple means of expression from students. In my case, I had to overcome the mindset that a long text essay was of more worth than a presentation. While I need to help all student become stronger in many forms of expression of mastery of content, I also need to truly believe that text is not inherently better than graphic representation of knowledge. Honestly, I am still working on this. But that's okay; I am an expert learner and will not give up until I have grown and improved my attitudes and behaviors.

PBL also requires students to use the six major categories of thinking and learning skills of Bloom's taxonomy. This is what adults do at work all the time. It is good that students can practice being successful at it (Armstrong, n.d..

 I am convinced of the value of PBL, now the challenge is to implement try PBL, not just a project. Going forward in my growth as a pre-service teacher I need to create a PBL and check it against the CCSS aligned rubric. I will then assess the strengths and weaknesses of my PBL and apply the necessary corrections. I find that writing clear objectives that contain observable and measurable student behaviors is essential if I want a coherent learning map. I believe that writing a PBL will include dozens of objectives. This is a bit overwhelming, so I will take it bit by bit and do backwards lesson plan design. ]]> 2018-06-07 13:31:49 UTC https://padlet.com/jillstowewalsh/8f7ug0crtn1b/wish/266110890 jillstowewalsh https://padlet.com/jillstowewalsh/8f7ug0crtn1b/wish/266110891 Does PBL work for students with special needs? Yes! In fact, this study by the National Center for Learning Disabilities shows how well-designed PBL that provides sufficient accommodation for students results in learners exceeding expectations (National Center for Learning Disabilities, n.d.). ]]> 2018-06-07 13:31:49 UTC https://padlet.com/jillstowewalsh/8f7ug0crtn1b/wish/266110891 jillstowewalsh https://padlet.com/jillstowewalsh/8f7ug0crtn1b/wish/266110892 Standard English learners speak English, but they need support to learn the Standard form of English that they need to succeed in school and the workplace. These learners should not be made to think that the language they speak at home or in the community is wrong or that teachers are trying to force them to change who they are. Teachers must foster the attitude that Standard English is a language form to add to their existing linguistic toolkit. PBL's emphasis on solving a problem that meets a community need keeps students focused on the fact that they will be presenting their solution to the larger community. They need to present their solution using Standard English forms of writing and speech. It is a meaningful application of learning (Terrance, 2018).]]> 2018-06-07 13:31:49 UTC https://padlet.com/jillstowewalsh/8f7ug0crtn1b/wish/266110892 jillstowewalsh https://padlet.com/jillstowewalsh/8f7ug0crtn1b/wish/266110893 Students who are ELLs need access to content specific language that helps them meet the same standards as every other student. There are many challenges to this, one of which is motivation to keep working through difficult texts with unfamiliar vocabulary. PBL is incredibly motivating for students because it connects with their lives. Making learning activities that are relevant to students is especially important with ELLs. Read this article to learn how one teacher engaged her Mexican American students to their learning (Branvold, 2018).]]> 2018-06-07 13:31:49 UTC https://padlet.com/jillstowewalsh/8f7ug0crtn1b/wish/266110893 jillstowewalsh https://padlet.com/jillstowewalsh/8f7ug0crtn1b/wish/266110894 English speakers at all proficiency levels benefit from instruction that raises their literacy levels in all four domains of listening, reading, speaking and writing. PBL offers a way to capture high student interest so that they can learn and practice strategies that help them develop in these domains. Read this article to learn more about how engaging in PBL to solve problems gives students  the motivation to hone their speaking skills to present their solutions to the community (Buck Institute for Education, 2011). If they don't, they risk their ideas being ignored.
This is a long video but it is packed with a lot of practical information for teachers who want to incorporate literacy learning that really helps students (Buck Institute for Education, 2012) .]]> 2018-06-07 13:31:49 UTC https://padlet.com/jillstowewalsh/8f7ug0crtn1b/wish/266110894 jillstowewalsh https://padlet.com/jillstowewalsh/8f7ug0crtn1b/wish/266110895 There are many words in social studies that must be defined precisely, for example, the words "usurpation" and "tyranny" in the Declaration of Independence have to be defined. Students must define technical terms to understand them if they are to formulate coherent problems and define steps to solve them. 
Additionally, students have options in what they choose to read. Because students work in teams there will be varying levels of reading proficiency. This means that students are able to select the level of text complexity that is right for them, while having the benefits of Zone of Proximal Development (ZDP) help from higher proficiency students (Vygotsky, 1978). For example, a student at the NAEP basic level might choose to glean facts from a website, while a student reading at the proficient level may be reading scholarly articles and pointing out his thinking while reading to the basic level student. Thus, both are strengthening their reading proficiency.]]> 2018-06-07 13:31:49 UTC https://padlet.com/jillstowewalsh/8f7ug0crtn1b/wish/266110895 jillstowewalsh https://padlet.com/jillstowewalsh/8f7ug0crtn1b/wish/266110896 UDL is incorporated into PBL by it's very nature. UDL principles are baked-in to the projects PBL gives students voice and choice of roles, and it provides multiple means of engagement, representation, and expression. Watch this video for explanations from a teacher who used it in her 9th grade ELA classroom (Cast, 2016). Because students are engaging with so much material in authentic ways, they are able to choose what works best for them in the three areas of engagement, representation, and expression naturally. ]]> 2018-06-07 13:31:49 UTC https://padlet.com/jillstowewalsh/8f7ug0crtn1b/wish/266110896 jillstowewalsh https://padlet.com/jillstowewalsh/8f7ug0crtn1b/wish/266110897 All projects are not PBL. PBL requires specific elements incorporated into planning and execution. These include being an authentic, real-world challenge or question, allowing students to take the lead while providing appropriate scaffolding. Here is a rubric from the Buck Institute of Education that shows the CCSS standards.
 ]]> 2018-06-07 13:31:49 UTC https://padlet.com/jillstowewalsh/8f7ug0crtn1b/wish/266110897 jillstowewalsh https://padlet.com/jillstowewalsh/8f7ug0crtn1b/wish/266110898 Employers want workers who can work effectively with others, efficiently sift through an ever-expanding body of knowledge and come up with solutions that benefit everyone. PBL teachers many of the skills used in the global workplace. Students must master rigorous content through research. Students collaborate with others; an essential an essential skill to solve the problem. Students make judgements about the correct actions to take. Research shows that engaging in relevant projects develops 21st century skills and is best practice for literacy. Watch the short video below for an introduction to PBL(Buck Institute, 2010)

]]> 2018-06-07 13:31:49 UTC https://padlet.com/jillstowewalsh/8f7ug0crtn1b/wish/266110898 jillstowewalsh https://padlet.com/jillstowewalsh/8f7ug0crtn1b/wish/266110899 PBL is student centered learning based on authentic learning activities that engage students.
Projects are constructed around a real-world question or problem.Students are motivated to learn 21st century skills because they are essential to research the components of the question or problem. It gives students a public voice because their answers to the question are shared with the community.
Read this article to learn why PBL is superior to the traditional organization of teaching and learning( Lamar, 2017; pbl-online.org. (n.d.))]]> 2018-06-07 13:31:49 UTC https://padlet.com/jillstowewalsh/8f7ug0crtn1b/wish/266110899