At Sage Canyon, our staff works to provide a World-Class Education for our students. But as well all know, the world is constantly evolving and changing, faster than we could have ever imagined. The jobs that our kids will most likely have and the problems that they will most likely face, do not even exist yet. As parents and teachers, we face a challenge in preparing our kids for a future that is a bit ambiguous. We cannot say for certain what it will look like. How can we possibly prepare our kids for this future that is so rapidly evolving? Sage Canyon believes that teaching with a Project Based Learning (PBL) approach is a sustainable, effective way to create learners that will thrive in this somewhat obscure 21st century. Here is a bit more on why:
Over the summer, the staff at Sage Canyon had the incredible opportunity to design and host the “PBL Colorado Summer Institute,” (PBL Colorado), where educators from all over the region could join together to learn how to teach with a PBL approach. The obvious question on the minds of many of our attendees ….”Why PBL?”
During PBL Colorado, incredible leaders in 21st century education began each day as keynote speakers. They were inspiring and motivating. Ken Kay, CEO of Edleader21, and one of the speakers, put it simply – do we want to produce “Student A” or “Student B?” He then presented a graphic where “Student A” went to school and learned basic skills in the areas of Math, Science, English, and Social studies. The second graphic of “Student B,” described the student as having content mastery, being able to think critically, described he/she as an effective communicator & collaborator, as well as creative and innovative. As educators and parents, it is hard to imagine that we wouldn’t want our kids to be more like “Student B.” “Student B” is bound to be more successful in an ever changing world, and well sought after by employers. Project Based Learning is a sustainable learning approach that prepares students to become like “Student B.” Kids that are more like “Student B” are self-directed inquirers, with the capacity and the desire to solve problems creatively. They have the desire and the commitment to learn and are resilient in the face of failure. They will be the leaders, the creators, the innovators, in the 21st century.
Sage Canyon believes that teaching with a Project Based Learning approach, creates a solid foundation of fundamental and higher-order thinking skills that will allow our students to succeed in the 21st century. Students gain a deeper understanding of the concepts and standards at the heart of the project. Projects also build vital workplace and lifelong habits of learning, and perhaps most importantly, PBL creates a learning environment that makes school more engaging and meaningful. It is important to note that this is different that the projects we may have done in school. Bianca Hewes, a leading Project Based Learning English teacher in Sydney, Australia reminds us,
“…the difference between the types of projects that you did as a student and the types of projects we’re talking about is that the learning IS the project. It is THROUGH the project that your students will be learning content and skills – and a whole bunch of other random and unforeseen stuff! The project doesn’t come at the END of learning – it’s not an assessment although assessment is built throughout the projects – it comes at the BEGINNING because it is the catalyst for the learning taking place in your classroom….”
Here is a breakdown, according to the Buck Institute for Education, of the key elements of PBL:
- is intended to teach significant content. Goals for student learning are explicitly derived from content standards and key concepts at the heart of academic disciplines.
- requires critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, and various forms of communication. To answer a Driving Question and create high-quality work, students need to do much more than remember information. They need to use higher-order thinking skills and learn to work as a team. They must listen to others and make their own ideas clear when speaking, be able to read a variety of material, write or otherwise express themselves in various modes, and make effective presentations. These skills, competencies and habits of mind are often known as “21st century skills,” because they are prerequisite for success in the 21st century workplace.
- requires inquiry as part of the process of learning and creating something new. Students ask questions, search for answers, and arrive at conclusions, leading them to construct something new: an idea, an interpretation, or a product.
- is organized around an open-ended Driving Question. This focuses students’ work and deepens their learning by framing important issues, debates, challenges or problems.
- creates a need to know essential content and skills.Project Based Learning reverses the order in which information and concepts are traditionally presented. A typical unit with a “project” add-on begins by presenting students with knowledge and concepts and then, once gained, giving students the opportunity to apply them. Project Based Learning begins with the vision of an end product or presentation. This creates a context and reason to learn and understand the information and concepts.
- allows some degree of student voice and choice. Students learn to work independently and take responsibility when they are asked to make choices. The opportunity to make choices, and to express their learning in their own voice, also helps to increase students’ educational engagement.
- includes processes for revision and reflection. Students learn to give and receive feedback in order to improve the quality of the products they create, and are asked to think about what and how they are learning.
- involves a public audience. Students present their work to other people, beyond their classmates and teacher – in person or online. This “ups the stakes,” increasing students’ motivation to do high-quality work, and adds to the authenticity of the project.
This year, teachers and staff at Sage Canyon will work tirelessly to get to know each and every one their students so that they can design, plan, and implement projects that will help your students learn 21st century skills and get the most from learning through projects. If you have more questions about PBL, ask your child’s teacher….they are more than happy to share their learning and passion with you!
UNTIL NEXT TIME!
SOME MORE RESOURCES ABOUT PROJECT BASED LEARNING:
- New Research Helps Make Case for PBL
- PBL Develops Students’ Confidence
- Project Based Learning Explained