Technology Based Tools for Project Based Learning by Roseann Blaszak https://padlet.com/blaszakro/thxxgulf4adw2mhh en-us 2022-07-06 16:08:41 UTC 2025-09-29 00:12:26 UTC hello@padlet.com Seesaw is a platform that can be used as an electronic portfolio, allowing students, parents, and teacher to be engaged in the learning process. blaszakro https://padlet.com/blaszakro/thxxgulf4adw2mhh/wish/2238230295
Seesaw is a great tool to use for Project-Based Learning. It motivates students to demonstrate their understanding of topics by providing different activities to complete. It gives the students choice in how they want to present their work, engaging them in the learning process. Students can record themselves working through a problem, give step by step instructions on how to build an object, or even upload an illustration to display understanding of a concept. The system supplies audio, video, and drawing capabilities that can make differentiation easier and more authentic. 
 
Supports Asynchronous Learning: students can work at their own pace and upload different artifacts they have created. Other students can add different elements and suggestions to the already posted information. The teacher can also provide feedback and guidance through the platform.
 
Project Based Unit: Civil Rights Activist Museum-students can research famous Civil Rights Activist (past and present) and create digital timeline, photo journal, video documentary and scrapbook (TeachThought, 2022).

Planning Template:
https://app.seesaw.me/#/try/prompt/prompt.691c2cfd-cca9-4a4c-934d-52a763a1f032?ref=public_library

ISTE Standards: 1.1 Empowered Learner, 1.3 Knowledge Constructor, 1.4 Innovative Designer, 1.6 Creative Communicator

Meets the standards by motivating students to research and extrapolate information to utilize it within their creations. Promotes creativity and collaboration.
]]> 2022-07-06 16:15:15 UTC https://padlet.com/blaszakro/thxxgulf4adw2mhh/wish/2238230295 PenPal Schools is a website that allows students to connect and collaborate across the globe. It uses a variety of different activities and projects pertaining to different subjects and topics in order to engage the learner. blaszakro https://padlet.com/blaszakro/thxxgulf4adw2mhh/wish/2238232004 Penpal Schools is a great virtual tool to use for Project Based learning. This tool encourages students to collaborate with students who are near or far to find solutions to everyday problems. The different activities and projects cover a variety of topics and interests, providing student choice, promoting student engagement. The instructional videos and leveled, informational articles can be used to differentiate learning. The projects created will demonstrate the level of understanding of the students. 
 
Supports Asynchronous Learning: Students can work on the activities independently and post them at any time. This allows others to view them, provide feedback, and add additional learning resources. 
 
Project Based Unit: Environmental issues (water pollution, global warming, sustainable farming) (TeachThought, 2022).
 
ISTE Standards: 1.1 Empowered Learner, 1.2 Digital Citizen 1.3 Knowledge Constructor, 1.4 Innovative Designer, 1.6 Creative Communicator, 1.7 Global Collaborator

Meets the standards by having students research information and motivating them to find solutions to world problems, collaborate and create a plan to solve the problem.
 
]]> 2022-07-06 16:18:16 UTC https://padlet.com/blaszakro/thxxgulf4adw2mhh/wish/2238232004 Microsoft Teams is a learning management system where students and teachers can interact and collaborate. Virtual whole group and smaller breakout rooms can be set up to deliver instruction and collaborate. blaszakro https://padlet.com/blaszakro/thxxgulf4adw2mhh/wish/2238235127 Microsoft Teams has many different accessibility features making it beneficial for Project Based Learning. This tool allows users to share documents through a class notebook, communicate through a chat option, and pair off into smaller groups. Teachers can observe the breakout groups in real time or through a recorded playback, making differentiated instruction easier and more effective. The versatility makes it a worthwhile tool for whole group instruction, differentiation, and collaboration.

Supports Synchronous and Asynchronous Learning:
Synchronous: Teachers can present instruction using the whole group option. This ensures everyone is getting the same information and directions. It can also support small group and individualized instruction for those that need more support or clarification.

Asynchronous: Students can work independently, post and share items at any time. This allows others to view them, provide feedback, and add additional learning resources. 

Project Based Unit: Students research the 4 areas of the ancient civilizations (Mesopotamia, Indus, Egypt, and China)and create a digital museum incorporating artifacts, videos, and audio clips.


ISTE Standards: 1.1 Empowered Learner, 1.4 Innovative Designer, 1.6 Creative Communicator.

Meets the standards by allowing students to be independent learners, creative thinkers, and collaborators. 
 
]]> 2022-07-06 16:24:00 UTC https://padlet.com/blaszakro/thxxgulf4adw2mhh/wish/2238235127 Tract is a video centered platform that allows users to create videos to teach others about various topics and subjects. Virtual awards are given when students create a learning video or demonstrate understanding through activities. blaszakro https://padlet.com/blaszakro/thxxgulf4adw2mhh/wish/2238238795 Tract is a great tool for Project Based Learning. It allows the teacher to post video directions or demonstrations on a topic, encouraging students to view the information as needed. It encourages Students can post videos asking questions, providing guidance and feedback on different topics, creating opportunities for collaboration. It also allows users to participate in challenges on various learning levels, making differentiated learning fun and meaningful. Students can create their own challenges which demonstrates understanding, increases motivation, and engagement. 
 
Supports Asynchronous Learning: Students can upload their videos and participate in challenges whenever they have the opportunity, making this a great tool for asynchronous learning.
 
Project Based Unit: Develop new school. Create classes, requirements, schedules, grading systems, and budget to present to “stakeholders” (TeachThought, 2022).
  
ISTE Standards: 1.1 Empowered Learner, 1.3 Knowledge Constructor, 1.6 Creative Communicator

Meets the standards by having students research a problem they want to solve and what tools are needed to solve it. It Inspires collaboration and creation of a product/artifact.
]]> 2022-07-06 16:31:06 UTC https://padlet.com/blaszakro/thxxgulf4adw2mhh/wish/2238238795 Pathbrite is a digital tool that students can use to gather, store, and share informational resources and display creations. blaszakro https://padlet.com/blaszakro/thxxgulf4adw2mhh/wish/2238241473 Pathbrite provides a “warehouse” of information that students can access for Project Based Learning. Teachers can provide instruction, develop collaborative assignments, and deliver feedback. Students can strengthen digital literacy skills while also acquiring knowledge of the specific concepts presented. There are a variety of tools, such as “drop & drag” that makes differentiation straightforward and fun. It also displays student’s activity and engagement in the lessons, providing the teacher with useable data.
 
Supports Asynchronous Learning:  This tool is best used for asynchronous learning. It gives the teacher and students the flexibility to post their work, feedback, and questions as they happen. 
 
Project Based Unit: Using aspects of current social media apps (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook etc.) create a new social media app designed around education (TeachThought, 2022).

ISTE Standards: 1.1 Empowered Learner, 1.3 Knowledge Constructor, 1.4 Innovative Designer, 1.6 Creative Communicator

Meets the standards by motivating students to research and extrapolate information to utilize it within their creations. Promotes creativity and collaboration.
 
 
]]> 2022-07-06 16:35:50 UTC https://padlet.com/blaszakro/thxxgulf4adw2mhh/wish/2238241473 Google Applied Digital Skills is program that develops student’s digital skills and enhances learning through the use of different digital tools. blaszakro https://padlet.com/blaszakro/thxxgulf4adw2mhh/wish/2238243243 This program can help enhance Project Based Learning by introducing students to different application like Google Docs, which allows students to work on projects collaboratively and creatively in real time. There are instructional videos and assessment activities as the student progresses. Teachers can assign specific activities to help students who need a little support or for those who need to be challenged. In addition, the program can be used at one’s own pace and in conjunction with other, promoting teamwork and collaboration. This can encourage engagement among participants. 

Supports Synchronous and Asynchronous Learning:
Synchronous: Teachers can provide specific activities to assess understanding and provide feedback in real time.  

Asynchronous: The activities can also be used independently and at the student’s own pace. This can motivate and encourage students to become more autonomous in their learning.
 
Project Based Unit: Create a new country. Include the development of laws and law enforcement, government, money, official etc (TeachThought, 2022).

 ISTE Standards: 1.1 Empowered Learner, 1.3 Knowledge Constructor, 1.4 Innovative Designer

Meets the standards by engaging students in the research process, applying that knowledge, encouraging collaboration, and the creation of a product.
]]> 2022-07-06 16:39:09 UTC https://padlet.com/blaszakro/thxxgulf4adw2mhh/wish/2238243243 Minecraft: Education Edition is a gaming platform that allows students to use their critical thinking skills and creativity to successfully merge already existing resources into new sustainable inventions. blaszakro https://padlet.com/blaszakro/thxxgulf4adw2mhh/wish/2238247042 Minecraft: Education Edition provides a student with a plethora of possibilities to complete Project-Based Learning within any subject. The game emboldens students to use their creativity, critical thinking and collaboration skills, and resources to solve different problems and create new world dimensions. Teachers can post learning goals and objectives within the “biome”, along with characters that provide students with additional support and supplemental activities to aide in the process of differentiation. Students are engaged in their learning and have a choice in the process of learning making it more authentic.
 
Supports Synchronous and Asynchronous Learning:
Synchronous: Teachers can assign a time limit and specific objectives to achieve within those time limits.

Asynchronous: Students can work independently and upload pictures of their progress for the teachers to assess learning.
 
Project Based Unit: Create a “tiny house” to reduce waste in the environment (PBL Works, n.d.).

Tiny House Project-https://youtu.be/B2gBFlPEZ2Q  This video describes the process needed to begin Project Based Learning.

ISTE Standards: 1.1 Empowered Learner, 1.2 Digital Citizen 1.3 Knowledge Constructor, 1.4 Innovative Designer, 1.5 Computational Thinker, 1.6 Creative Communicator, 1.7 Global Collaborator

Meets the standards by having students research information and motivating them to find solutions to world problems, collaborate and create a plan to solve the problem.


]]> 2022-07-06 16:46:41 UTC https://padlet.com/blaszakro/thxxgulf4adw2mhh/wish/2238247042 Global Problem Solvers is an application that encourages digital literacy, problem solving, and collaboration though the use of animation. blaszakro https://padlet.com/blaszakro/thxxgulf4adw2mhh/wish/2238252653 This tool is useful for Project Based Learning by encouraging teamwork, developing critical and problem-solving skills. Students take center stage as animated characters to identify different problems within the world and solve those problems in variety of ways. There are opportunities for students to engage in learning activities and reflect on that learning, while tapping into their creative side. Teachers can use different “episodes” to help accelerated learners reach new heights, while providing support for those who need it. 
 
Supports Synchronous Learning:
Synchronous: Teachers can do a whole group lesson on a specific country and the global issues it has (ie Malawi's polluted drinking water)


Project Based Unit: Investigate the effects of water pollution. Develop a new way to prevent it and new filtration systems (TeachThought, 2022).

ISTE Standards: 1.1 Empowered Learner, 1.2 Digital Citizen 1.3 Knowledge Constructor, 1.4 Innovative Designer, 1.5 Computational Thinker, 1.6 Creative Communicator, 1.7 Global Collaborator

Meets the standards by encouraging students to collaborate, plan, problem solve suing critical thinking and produce a solution for a real world problem.
]]> 2022-07-06 16:57:19 UTC https://padlet.com/blaszakro/thxxgulf4adw2mhh/wish/2238252653 Project Foundry is an organizational tool that allows teachers and students to manage the different parts of a Project Based Learning Unit. blaszakro https://padlet.com/blaszakro/thxxgulf4adw2mhh/wish/2238254560 This tool was designed to make Project Based Learning more meaningful and organized. To begin the process, teachers can assign different activities and assignments to be completed individually or collaboratively. Teachers can track the progress and differentiate according to need. Students can also create their own PBLs, from the planning stage, timeline of activities, collaboration to the end product. This promotes creativity, student choice, and ownership over their work.
 
Project Based Unit: Research sharks. Discuss how they are a vital part of the ecosystem and how a change in their existence can disrupt the balance of the ecosystem.
 
Supports Synchronous Learning:
Synchronous-Teachers can introduce a PBL unit and set specific objectives to achieve 
 
ISTE Standards: 1.1 Empowered Learner, 1.4 Innovative Designer, 1.6 Creative Communicator

Meets the standards by allowing students to be independent learners, creative thinkers, and collaborators.
 
]]> 2022-07-06 17:01:19 UTC https://padlet.com/blaszakro/thxxgulf4adw2mhh/wish/2238254560 Defined Learning is a platform that focuses on the development of STEM while also including parts of Literacy and engineering to complete different Problem Based Learning Units. blaszakro https://padlet.com/blaszakro/thxxgulf4adw2mhh/wish/2238256613 Defined Learning makes Project Based Learning more hands on. For students, this tool helps them to organize the information they have acquired and apply it through the use of different learning activities and reflection pieces. It allows teachers to differentiate instruction by using videos at different learning levels to meet the needs of the students. It provides students the opportunity to be independent learners while also having the support of the teacher when needed.

Supports Synchronous Learning: 
Synchronous: Teachers can use this application as whole group instruction and in differentiated learning groups.
 
Project Based Unit: Create a new playground using geometrical shapes and a budget to cover the cost (TeachThought, 2022).

ISTE Standards: 1.1 Empowered Learner, 1.3 Knowledge Constructor, 1.5 Computational Thinker

Meets the standards by allowing students to have choice in the development, planning, and construction of the blueprints. It also encourages them to learn how to budget money and real world cost of materials.
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