Blog Post #9

Project-Based Learning is an amazing way for students to think outside the box and push themselves to go above and beyond what they would do in a normal classroom. According to John Larmer and John R. Mergendoller there are Seven Essentials for Project-Based Learning. If you follow the seven essentials you should have the best results with PBL. The seven essentials are:

1. A Need to Know
2. A Driving Question
3. Student Voice and Choice
4. 21st Century Skills
5. Inquiry and Innovation
6. Feedback and Revision
7. A Publicly Presented Project

Project-Based Learning for Teachers points out that PBL makes learning more meaningful. It helps students question, investigate, share, and reflect. Students are given a driving question and asked to work collaboratively to create a solution to the question. Once they have completed their project, they will present them. Students are to critique their own work and the work of their group members periodically to better themselves and their work.

I have always wondered if PBL could be used in PE and Project-Based Learning and Physical Education proved that is possible. I love that the high school students were asked to create exercise units for the teachers and students in middle school. Andrew Miller points out that PBL in physical education classes can prove how valuable PE actually is.  Using PBL in PE helps the students see that there is a reason to learning what they are being taught.

PBL: What Motivates Students Today shows that students want recognition no matter what. It proves that positive feedback and encouragement helps students work harder to do well. PBL allows students to be proud of what they have accomplished because they get to show off their work to not only the teacher and classmates but to the whole school and community too.

I was really impressed with Two Students Solve the Case of Watery Ketchup by Creating a New Cap. It is amazing what students can do with a driving question. It all started with the phrase "It really bugs me when..".  They took that phrase and turned it into a solution that they were proud of! That is why I always say that you should never underestimate what your students know and can do.