Welcome to the PBL Academy
Jumpstart PowerPoint!
Please view this PowerPoint in Slide Show mode so
that you can access the linked websites.
Welcome to the PBL Academy Jumpstart!
How to use this Powerpoint
1. Before you do anything, go to http://www.rose-prism.org/moodle/ to
register for a username and password on PRISM so that you have full
access to all of the resources available on the PBL Academy website. On
the home page, there is a link in the left column to create an account.
2. You’ll need to be connected to the internet in order to see the websites
to which this Powerpoint is linked. So get connected!
3. Start the Powerpoint slide show, if you aren’t already in that mode. Ask
someone if you don’t know how.
4. When you see text that is in color and underlined, you should be able to
click on the text and be connected to a website. Try it by clicking this one
and see if it takes you to the PBL Academy website. (remember it only
works if you are in the slide show mode)
5. After viewing a website, you’ll need to get back to the slide show in
Powerpoint.
PBL and The PBL Academy
Project Based Learning for All
The following slides are intended to answer these common
questions.
1. Why should I change my instruction?
2. What exactly is PBL and why is it a useful classroom tool?
3. What is the PBL Academy?
4. What will be expected of me at the PBL Academy?
Start the slide show to get some answers.
• Why should I change my instruction?
The world is changing and education must adapt to these changes.
There is a great deal of evidence of this. For some powerful reasons,
view these Youtube videos “Did You Know 2014” and “Changing
Education Paradigms”.
There are many other places you can find similar calls to change.
“Deeper Learning” is currently the term being used to describe the kind
of learning in which our students need to be engaged. Click on the link
to learn more details.
2. What exactly is PBL and why is it a useful
classroom tool for today?
According to the Buck Institute for Education (BIE)
Project Based Learning ”is a teaching method in which students gain
knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to
investigate and respond to a complex question, problem, or challenge”.
Watch “Project Based Learning Explained” for a 3.5 minute overview of PBL.
BIE’s website http://bie.org/ is a great source of information and tools for
anyone wanting to understand PBL and begin to use it.
For some good reasons to use PBL, go to http://bie.org/about/why_pbl and
explore the site. Be certain to look at the research section for a variety of
evidence that PBL “works”.
What does PBL look like in a classroom?
The best way to get a sense of PBL in action is to view some of the
resources available either on the BIE website or the website of
Edutopia. You’ll have some choices of the grade level and content area
to view, so you can see something you can imagine in your classroom.
On the BIE site, you’ll find a video library . In the right hand column of
this site, is a search function that will help you narrow your choices.
On the Edutopia site, it isn’t as easy to find a video in your area, but
there are some great videos to explore.
What is the PBL Academy?
Why should an educator attend?
The PBL Academy provides project-based learning instruction,
structure, and on-going support for K-16 educators. The goal of the
PBL Academy is to help teachers improve student achievement through
rigorous, authentic projects with community partners that address
academic standards as well as the development of deeper learning.
The PBL Academy offers a comprehensive introduction to project-based
learning as well as workshops for experienced practitioners who want
to hone their skills. By clicking on the click above or going to
http://pblacademy.org/,you will find the website of the PBL Academy
with explanations of what we provide and links to useful resources.
What is the PBL Academy?
Why should an educator attend?
PBL ACADEMY Summer Sessions
• The week-long PBL Academy “PBL 101” sessions
provide a strong introduction to PBL and support
participants to develop PBL units for use in their
own instruction.
• Shorter sessions are available for administrators
and to support those who have already attended a
101 session.
Educators from the classroom to the central office
can benefit from the professional development
offered by The PBL Academy. Learn more about the
three themes addressed throughout the week-long
program.
• The successful utilization of PBL in the classroom
is highly effective teaching that results in
successful student performance. Read more about
how PBL relates to RISE and similar teacher
evaluation rubrics.
• The support and involvement of school and
district leaders in PBL is fundamental to its
success in the classroom. Read_more about how
The PBL Academy can improve 1-to-1 computing
implementation, shed light on an administrator's
evaluation process, and give schools a competitive
advantage in student retention.
• Building a PBL-based support system within a
school or district can increase teacher
collaboration and student success. Read_more
about how The PBL Academy supports the
development of a collaborative culture.
The PBL Academy has joined with others interested
in PBL to form the Indiana Collaborative for PBL or
ICPBL. The ICPBL or The Collaborative is comprised
of six organizations which have come together for
the purpose of supporting, sponsoring, and funding
specific PBL project work across the state of Indiana.
It partners with Rose Hulman Technical Institute to
create and maintain a website that includes a project
library, links to PBL resources, links to each of the
three supporting organizations, and information
about the PBL Teacher Certification process.
The PBL Academy offers something for every educator
Take a look at the different programs for this summer.
• PBL 101: understanding PBL and creating a successful project.
• Advanced: managing the PBL classroom.
• PBL Educator Certification.
• PBL for School Administrators.
• Click here to learn more about all of these programs.
What will be expected of me at the PBL Academy?
As with any educational experience that is worth anything, you will work hard AND have
fun. The PBL Academy is facilitated by educators who practice PBL with real students in
real classrooms. They understand both PBL AND the contexts of schools. They will have
high expectations AND provide lots of support as you learn about PBL and design a PBL
unit for your own use.
SOME NUTS AND BOLTS
• Sessions will begin daily at 9 am and end by 4 pm.
• You will be well fed. Continental breakfast starts about 8:30, snacks are provided throughout the day and
a great lunch will be served around noon. Please be sure you have let us know food allergies, etc.
• There will be wireless internet access. A laptop will be provided if you don’t have one to bring.
• You will receive a certificate indicated the number of PGPs you have earned, based on the number of
hours you participate.
• If you would like to get university credit, that can be arranged the first day of the session you attend.
• If you are in the PBL 101 sessions, you will be expected to produce a PBL Unit. Advanced folks may
produce a unit or some part of one. All will be given the chance to share these on the ICPBL Library.
(This is the focus of the next couple of slides)
What does a PBL unit look like?
Find an example in the Project Library!
Hopefully you’ve explored some videos of PBL in action.
The question “What does an educator do to prepare a PBL unit?” is
certainly on your mind.
One way for you to get an idea of what you will produce during the PBL
Academy is to examine some actual products archived and searchable in the
Project Library.
Click on this link to go to the Project Library, then click on the Search Tutorial
just below the title at the top of the library home page and learn how to
search for a project that suits your interests. Be sure to log in with your
username and password.
Find a project that interests you, and either open the PDF or download the
files and examine them.
What to notice about the PBL units in the library.
• They are standards-based.
• They include the following 5 elements
•
•
•
•
•
A Challenge or Driving Question
A Project Planning Form
An Entry Document or Event
A Rubric assessing the student product
At least 2 pieces of Scaffolding
• Look for connections to the community or community partners
• Make a comment in the Discussion tab after reviewing the Unit
• What did you find interesting about the project?
• How might you use aspects of this project in your classroom?
WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THIS JUNE AT THE PBL ACADEMY