Maria Petrescu's Learning Diary for "Introducing Project-Based Learning in your Classroom" MOOC by Maria Petrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning This is the Learning Diary of the SchoolEducationGateway's MOOC "Introducing Project-Based Learning in your Classroom", from 6th of June to 10th July 2016 http://academy.schooleducationgateway.eu/web/developing-project-based-learning-in-your-classroom en-us 2016-06-12 13:09:58 UTC 2026-02-28 19:14:28 UTC hello@padlet.com Who am I mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114410032 I am a Maths teacher in Bucharest, Romania. I am always interested in improving my teaching methods, and in making my classes more interesting, motivating and engaging. I think that a project based learning approach and the use of new technology are necessary steps in doing this.

My hobbies are: reading, watching movies, travelling, trekking and sports.
]]> 2016-06-12 13:15:29 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114410032 My teaching context mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114410444 I teach Mathematics in School no. 195 Bucharest, Romania, at the lower secondary level. My students are between 11 and 15 years old. The school is very big (about 2000 students) with pupils between 6 and 15 years old. In every classroom we have access to video projectors and Internet (but not in the same time). We also have a computer room.]]> 2016-06-12 13:29:47 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114410444 1. What is PBL and why use it mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114410902 1.1 What is PBL
Differences between "doing projects" and PBL.]]> 2016-06-12 13:48:07 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114410902 1. What is PBL and why use it mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114411084 1.1 What is PBL
PBL is all about the process and the learning that happens as part of this process. In other words the project is the main course. "Doing projects" however, is often an add-on at the end of a topic that has been studied in class,  the project is then the culmination of that work where the students apply their knowledge ]]> 2016-06-12 13:54:37 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114411084 1.1 What is PBL - My questions mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114412427 Applying this method in a Maths class brings me a few questions:
- It is possible to learn new Maths concepts with PBL or students needs to have first enough theoretical knowledge in order to apply them?
- There is time enough to use this method often, as it seems time consumer? As we have a big curriculum and important Maths exams, can we really use this method often?
- Are the school facilities good enough for this method? (the arrangement of the tables and chairs, the materials needed, the necessary technology, etc.)
- How can we evaluate every students according to his/her contribution?
- Are the other "actors" involved in education (parents, head-teacher, other teachers, authorities) open enough for this method?]]> 2016-06-12 14:34:17 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114412427 1.2 Why use it? mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114413198 2016-06-12 14:55:48 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114413198 1.2 Why PBL is not used more widely mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114413746 I think PBL is not used more widely in our education system because the school system in general is oriented to the curriculum, learning new theoretical concepts and then applying them. All the programs, school books, exams books etc. are oriented in this way. As curriculum is so big, and there are important Maths exams comming, teachers have no time enough, no resources enough and no training in using PBL. 
The biggest chalenges for teachers are, in my oppinion: time, resources and training, and expectations from the others (parents, head-teacher, teacher-evaluators, other school-authorities).
]]> 2016-06-12 15:13:31 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114413746 1.2 Why use PBL? mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114413814 2016-06-12 15:15:41 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114413814 1.3 P2P - Reflections on our current teaching practice mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114414051 As I teach Maths, I am oriented in teaching to make students understand abstract Maths concepts. My usual method is "learning through discovery", which means that, by presenting a problem and guiding students through questions, they rediscover Maths concepts. Then we make applications on different levels. Students works individually or in teams, depend on the complexity of the subject. Sometimes we make practical activities based on a studied concept, and once in a semester students do a bigger project and present it to the others. 
I have the problem that some  students don't remember what they have learned the day before, and I address it by making more exercises and applications, so as students learn from practice. 
I use some of the approaches mentioned in the video, such as collaboration and cooperation during the classes, in the practical activities and mostly in the semester project. It doesn't always work, most of the time some student work more than others, but I try to let them choose what part of the project everyone does and let me know, so I can observe how each of them works.
As about a subject topic that I teach and I can use to experiment PBL, this could be about geometrical shapes. The name of the project could be "Using less resources" and let students discover from more shapes with the same perimeter which has the biggest area (they have to think to all the shapes learnt, to their properties, to calculate the area and to make an analysis of the data.

]]> 2016-06-12 15:21:41 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114414051 1.4 Components of Good PBL mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114415941 2016-06-12 16:10:00 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114415941 1.4 Components of Good PBL mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114416249 2016-06-12 16:16:05 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114416249 1.4 Components of Good PBL mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114416331 2016-06-12 16:18:08 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114416331 1.4 Components of Good PBL -  My view of the five keys mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114416373 From the five keys, the most challenging for me are: Core to learning and Multifaceted Assessment. My dilemma about PBL is to use it for discovering new Maths concepts, or for applying Maths concepts in new and developing situations. About the first I'm not sure I can follow the rigorous of the subject, about the second I'm not sure it is PBL or "doing projects". 
As about the Multifaceted Assessment I am not sure how to do it. As Maths is an exam subject, and curriculum requires very regular and rigid summative assessments, I think the assessments must be very rigorous done, and I'm not sure how to do it in PBL.]]> 2016-06-12 16:19:10 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114416373 1.5 The Driving Question mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114417861 One of the first steps in preparing a PBL approach is to identify a project question or problem, often referred to as "the driving question". Effectively, this question should be the guiding principle for the entire PBL process that you will go through with your students. The question should be open-ended, engage and inspire students by creating curiosity, and be aligned to the learning goals you would like to achieve. ]]> 2016-06-12 17:01:25 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114417861 1.5 The Driving Question mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114418039 John Mergendoller, the Executive Director of the Buck Institute of Education, identifies a useful criterium to evaluate if your driving question in fact does this: How straight-forward is it to answer the question by asking Google? Good driving questions according to Mergendoller are non-Googleable questions. So in this context, let's see if we can turn some Googleable questions into non-Googleable questions. ]]> 2016-06-12 17:06:21 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114418039 1.6 P2P - Your PBL Design: Formulating your driving question mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114418432 I can use to experiment PBL a context about geometrical shapes. The students should discover from more shapes with the same perimeter which has the biggest area (they have to think to all the shapes learnt, to their properties, to calculate the area and to make an analysis of the data). This context is connected with Geometry, suitable for 13 years old students from the 7-th grade.
The Driving Question is:
If you have a garden fence, what shape should have the garden in order to have more room inside?]]> 2016-06-12 17:16:10 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114418432 1.1 What is PBL mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114622490                           TELL ME AND I FORGET,
                      TEACH ME AND I REMEMBER,
                         INVOLVE ME AND I LEARN
                                                         Benjamin Franklin 
Our learning objectives for this module are:

  1. Understand what PBL is and isn't
  2. Reflect on our own teaching practice and how this corresponds to a PBL approach
  3. Identify different components of effective PBL and which of these will be the most challenging in our context
  4. Develop a first idea for implementing a PBL approach in our context and formulate a driving question
]]> 2016-06-14 15:11:12 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114622490 mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114648400 2016-06-14 19:50:41 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114648400 Learning Diaries and Learning Designs mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114649199 2016-06-14 20:03:17 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114649199 My Driving Question mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114755064 After reflection, I realized that maybe my previous driving question is not really open-ended, and I decided to change it.
My new driving question has to do with applications of geometry, scale of a plan, and calculations. The learning goals are:
- to make measurements;
- to make a scale plan;
- to make calculations;
- to make cost estimations;
- to make decisions about how to make the costs lower.
The driving question is :
How would you like to renovate your classroom ? (make a scale plan and estimate the costs)]]> 2016-06-15 18:32:30 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/114755064 2. Developing effective collaboration for PBL mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115034072
                         COMING TOGETHER IS A BEGINNING,
                          KEEPING TOGETHER IS PROGRESS,
                           WORKING TOGETHER IS SUCCESS
                                                                      Henry Ford
In this module the learning objectives are:

  1. Understand how different types of collaboration can be used in the context of PBL
  2. Develop a series of strategies and activities to promote effective collaboration between students
  3. Develop a series of strategies and activities to promote effective collaboration with actors outside of the classroom


]]> 2016-06-20 09:25:15 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115034072 2.2 What is effective collaboration? mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115035970  One of the key things students should be learning as part of this process is effective collaboration. ]]> 2016-06-20 09:52:43 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115035970 21-st Century Learning Design Rubrics mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115036049 These rubrics offer us a useful tool to self-assess if our learning activities are truly collaborative or not.  The rubrics identify four questions you should ask yourself about what happens in your classroom:
- whether students are working with others on the learning activity, and the quality of that collaboration;
- students have shared responsibility for their work;
- the learning activity is designed in a way that requires students to make substantive decisions together;
- the learning activities are designed so that student work is interdependent, requiring all students to contribute in order for the team to succeed. ]]> 2016-06-20 09:54:01 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115036049 2.3 Effective Collaboration for PBL inside the Classroom mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115036565 Collaboration does not just happen, it needs to be learned and we canprovide our students with the environment and the scaffolding to help them become effective collaborators.]]> 2016-06-20 10:02:51 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115036565 Teaching Group Work: Building Student Collaboration and Agency mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115036707 2016-06-20 10:05:57 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115036707 2.3 Effective Collaboration for PBL inside the Classroom - Examples of collaborative activities mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115038166 2016-06-20 10:30:53 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115038166 2.3 Effective Collaboration for PBL inside the Classroom - Example of collaborative activity mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115038255 2016-06-20 10:32:22 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115038255 2.3 Effective Collaboration for PBL inside the Classroom - Example of collaborative activity mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115038829 2016-06-20 10:40:56 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115038829 2.4 Finding collaboration partners outside the classroom mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115042524 A key part of PBL is establishing a link to the "real-world". One of the most powerful mechanisms to do this is by involving audiences or partners from outside of the classroom or even better outside of the school. As part of this we explore two different types of collaboration with outside actors:
-  Organizing projects together with another class, where students collaborate not only with their immediate peers but with students at another school. (eTwinning)
- Involving people from the community in students' work. Getting professionals from the "real-world" to come and work with the students creates an entirely new meaning for their work. ]]> 2016-06-20 11:35:22 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115042524 2.4 Finding collaboration partners outside the classroom - Involving the Community, my idea mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115045053 I do every year projects about entrepreneurship and financial education, with the support of an organization which send us volunteers who make activities with my class. The volunteers are professionals from the "real-world" (specialist from banks, human resources specialists, managers, etc.) In this way students have the opportunity to learn directly from the specialists.]]> 2016-06-20 11:54:51 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115045053 2.3 Effective Collaboration for PBL inside the Classroom - My idea of a collaborative activity mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115045202 A good collaborative activity is a "Treasure hunt". Students divided in groups receive tasks that they have to solve in a fixed time. As the tasks need different skills, and pressed by the time, students divide naturally the tasks according to their skills and work together for answering all the tasks.]]> 2016-06-20 11:56:57 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115045202 2.5 Collaboration Tools mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115045628 In my class I used for example Google Docs, Padlet, Thinglink, Facebook (or Yahoo, or Google) groups.]]> 2016-06-20 12:02:23 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115045628 3. Developing student-driven activities for PBL mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115417560 IT'S NOT THAT I'M SO SMART,
IT'S JUST THAT I STAY WITH PROBLEMS LONGER
Albert Einstein

]]> 2016-06-25 03:57:46 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115417560 3. Developing student-driven activities for PBL mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115417611 Next to developing collaborative skills of students, another key part of PBL is for students to take ownership of tasks, initiative at solving problems, and most importantly to stick with these tasks and problems until they have come to a satisfactory conclusion. In other words, we try to develop a student-driven environment in which the energy and persistence of what is happening in the classroom does not primarily come from us but from the students. 
The learning objectives for this module are:

  1. Understanding the importance of scaffolding the PBL process so that students increasingly develop independence and ownership over the tasks
  2. Understanding the importance of a positive environment and mindset for building student confidence and resilience
  3. Developing a range of activities, strategies and tools that facilitate an entrepreneurial mindset and entrepreneurial skills
]]> 2016-06-25 04:02:01 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115417611 3.1 Scaffolding for Student Ownership and Independence mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115418660 If we want PBL to be a student-driven learning process we cannot simply give students independence and hope they wil just take charge of the process. Students' ownership over the process needs to develop as part of PBL and it is our job to scaffold classroom activities in such a way that allows such ownership to develop. ]]> 2016-06-25 05:18:11 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115418660 3.2 Developing Student Resilience mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115431030 Quiz: How Resilient Are You?
You got: You are quite resilient!

Resilience is a quality that helps us through daily stressors and major life crises. While some of our resilience is associated with inborn personality traits, there’s much you can do to develop your resilience level, and the resources below can help.

Your answers indicate that you have many traits and thinking habits that are associated with greater levels of resilience, which is a very good thing. You are likely more able to handle life's crises – both major and minor – and turn difficulties to your advantage, or at least weather them optimally. The resources below can help you to build even more resilience in your life, and help those in your life do the same.

]]> 2016-06-25 16:51:38 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115431030 3.2 Developing Student Resilience mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115431046 What is resilience? It comes from the Latin resilire, “to bounce back”. 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. ]]> 2016-06-25 16:52:22 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115431046 3.2 Developing Student Resilience mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115433360 2016-06-25 18:57:37 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115433360 3.3 An Entrepreneurial Mindset mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115433565 The characteristics explored in the previous sections, such as resilience, initative and ownership, are all part of an entrepreneurial mindset. For students to take ownership of the PBL process and move their own and their peer's learning forward, they need to have an entrepreneurial mindset. ]]> 2016-06-25 19:11:37 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115433565 3.3 An Entrepreneurial Mindset mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115433578 2016-06-25 19:12:55 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115433578 Team Building Resources mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115500246 2016-06-27 10:52:18 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115500246 4. Assessing PBL mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115649368 THE ROOT OF THE WORD "ASSESSMENT"
IS FROM THE LATIN "ASSIDERE"
WHICH MEANS "TO SIT BESIDE"
The learning objectives for this module are:

  1. Understanding the difference between formative and summative assessment
  2. Understanding how assessment can be embedded into PBL activities
  3. Understanding what a rubric is and why it can help us assess PBL
  4. Develop a finalised and rigorous PBL implementation Learning Design
]]> 2016-06-29 06:14:51 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115649368 4.2 Embedding Assessment into PBL mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115649505 2016-06-29 06:17:57 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115649505 4.2 Embedding Assessment into PBL mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115649662 2016-06-29 06:21:39 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115649662 4.3 Peer Assessment for PBL mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115649725 2016-06-29 06:23:06 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115649725 4.4 Creating & Using Rubrics for PBL Assessment mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115650260 Rubrics are grading tools that can be used for summative as well as formative assessment and they are also a very useful tool to help students with self- and peer assessment. While they can be used for grading, they should in fact be seen as a learning resource that is used by students throughout their work.]]> 2016-06-29 06:37:55 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115650260 4.4 Creating & Using Rubrics for PBL Assessment mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115650682 2016-06-29 06:46:41 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115650682 4.4 Creating & Using Rubrics for PBL Assessment mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115650722 2016-06-29 06:47:47 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115650722 4.4 Creating & Using Rubrics for PBL Assessment mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115650853 2016-06-29 06:52:05 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115650853 4.4 Creating & Using Rubrics for PBL Assessment mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115651140 2016-06-29 07:01:53 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115651140 The rubric for my learning design mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115651994 2016-06-29 07:24:27 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115651994 My Learning Design mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115685600 2016-06-29 16:38:05 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/projectbasedlearning/wish/115685600