Project Based Learning

Learning Activities:

• Long Term
• Interdisciplinary
• Student Centered

What projects look like:

• Complex
• Contain challenging questions
• Student investigative activities
• Include problem solving
• Include design and decision making

Benefits

• Motivating for students
• Encourages goal setting, accountability, and improved performance
• Creates positive communication and collaboration among students
• Allows students to practice skills in problem solving, communication and self-management

Challenges for Students:

• Time management
• Generating meaningful questions
• Developing logical arguments to support claims

Challenges for Teachers:

• Time constraints
• Classroom management
• How much support to give students
• Difficulty designing assessments that require students to demonstrate their understanding.

Inquiry Learning

5 E Learning Cycle Model:

• Engagement 
• Exploration
• Elaboration
• Evaluation

Student's Role

• Actively participate
• Plan and carry out investigations
• Raise questions
• Propose explanations
• Raise questions

Teacher's Role:

• Model behavior and skill
• Support content learning
• Provide multiple means of assessment
• Facilitate Learning

Socratic Dialogue

Method

• Pick controversial topic
• Provide opened ended questions
• Starts out with teacher led instruction

Leader's Role

• Keep topic focused
• Allow all students to equally participate
• Make sure students elaborate and clarify
• Clarify, synthasize and restate when topics get confusing

Participant Responsibilities

• Think and speak persuasively
• Actively listen to discussion
• Do not interrupt other participants