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Using Problem Based Learning in Schools and Homes

Posted by samanthas on April 4, 2013 in Education with No Comments


Introducing Project Based Learning in Schools and Home School Settings

The use of project based learning is not necessarily a new concept. Though teachers do conduct the majority of their lessons in a classroom setting where they dictate from the front of the room while their students sit in rows of desks listening attentively, there are still elements of project or problem based learning in schools. When a teacher organizes a field trip to a farm or the museum, such settings engage a project based learning element. Interacting with others and the world around them allows students to participate in PBL style learning that will give them new learning tools they will have for life.

What Are the Characteristics of Project Based Learning?

On a very basic level, PBL settings involve students tackling a project and collaboratively solving the problem at hand. With the use of PBL, students:

  • Are presented with a challenge that they must solve;
  • Gather with other peers to collectively take on the problem;
  • Make their decisions on how to solve the problem through a specified framework;
  • Take a keen interest in their project;
  • Are free to solve their problem through trial and error;
  • Will plan and set out their own research, development and summaries
  • Will present their project with their team.

This type of atmosphere presents a much more student-centred atmosphere with the teacher taking on more of a facilitator role than that of a dictator of information.

Why Are Problem Based Learning Settings so Powerful?

Many schools, educators and communities are now realizing the powerful effect that problem based learning projects has on their students, and even on their teachers. By allowing students to participate in projects that peak their interest and give them a certain amount of power over how the problem will be attacked and solved, students develop a renewed interest in learning. This translates into better engagement, more information that is retained over the long run, and better grades.

Accessing PBL Units

For educators and schools that are interested in making PBL a much greater part of the classroom, there are resources available to do just that. PBLSuperstore.com has a huge library of PBL units that are ready to be downloaded right away and utilized immediately in the classroom.  Many teachers find the task of developing PBL projects daunting.  These complete, tried and tested units were developed for students grades K-10 in the North American curriculum.  Best of all, they are backed with full support and contain rubrics for grading.  Visit www.PBLSuperstore.com today and find everything you need to start a PBL lesson right away!

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Teaching History With Project Based Learning

Posted by samanthas on March 19, 2013 in Education with No Comments


Project Based Learning for the Classroom

Although projects and group assignments have always been a part of a class curriculum, project based learning takes teaching to another level. With continuous evolution and more focus on discovery, students are given more hands-on learning experiences with PBL.  This educational opportunity results in better student engagement and the development of crucial life skills including problem solving and critical thinking. By working with their peers, students learn through “doing”.  This teaming up with others in an effort to solve a problem helps them learn collaboration, delegating and leadership.

Project Based Learning – History

One history-based PBL unit in the PBLSuperstore.com library is called “Time Travelers: The Colonial X Factor”. This unit is available for grades K-10, with different units offering grade level appropriate material, so teachers can choose the specific units and grading rubrics for their particular student population.

To effectively teach students about history, this Time Travelers unit brings students through a series of tasks. Students will be prompted to study historical situations and consider the needs of the people in such times. By learning from the past, students are then encouraged to propose a change or different method that they would employ instead of those used in the past, to avoid mistakes made by their ancestors. Students can then implement these thought-out strategies and determine the possible outcome of their new-found strategy.

Project based learning can be a truly unique and effective learning tool for history class. Teachers can determine how short or lengthy a project will be and what size to make the groups. Students will learn by doing, not simply by listening and memorizing. The end result are students who have not only learned something new, but have gained a deeper interest and understanding of the subject at hand.

PBLSuperstore.com – Your Online Resource For PBL History Units

For teachers looking for ready-made PBL units, PBLSuperstore.com has everything you need all in a convenient one-stop shop. Their library of units boasts a variety of resources and subjects for the North American curriculum. These units are ready to download and implement right away. In addition, these units come with the tools and support needed for teachers to confidently implement PBL into their classroom. Visit PBLSuperstore.com today and find the perfect project based learning history unit for your class!

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What is Problem Based Learning?

Posted by samanthas on February 6, 2013 in Education with No Comments


What is Problem Based Learning?

When one thinks of the typical classroom setting and curriculum, images of rows of students sitting in desks with a teacher at the front of the class dictating a lesson come to mind. The idea of the teacher disseminating information to students who then try to memorize it is the general structure of a class setting.

However, problem based learning turns the classroom into a much different setting. More interaction is involved, and much more student engagement is encouraged. In fact, there really is much less “teaching” from the teacher, and much more “student learning” with problem based learning.

Students at the Center of Learning

With problem based learning, the student is the focus of attention, rather than the lesson or the information. With “student-centred” learning, the students become much more engaged in their learning, and find their learning opportunities much more relevant. When students become more interested in what they are learning, they are much more likely to truly internalize and retain the information from their lessons.

What Does Problem Based Learning Look like in the Classroom?

Students involved in a problem based learning structure will be grouped with a small number of other students, who will then collaborate with each other in order to solve the task or problem presented to them. These “problems” are generally presented as a form of a case or challenge that will drive the students to come up with a solution. By learning in such a format, students learn how to think critically, solve problems, and work collaboratively with others.

The problems or projects are generally language based, but can include other elements of the curriculum including math, science, geography, history and social studies.  The teacher acts as a guide and facilitator, but the students must generate their own research, do the reasoning, solve the problem and make a presentation.

Students who are a part of PBL are being taught real world lessons and traits that will become valuable to them as they grow into adults and enter real world situations. The tools they take with them from their PBL projects will prove to be very useful later in life.

PBLSuperstore.com For All your PBL Needs

PBLSuperstore.com is an online resource for information, resources and ready-made units that can be immediately downloaded and used in the classroom setting. Teachers and home schooling parents alike can use these units to help engage their students and children for a truly unique and exciting learning environment.  The units are unique to the PBL Superstore and were specially designed for grades K-10 in the North American curriculum.

Visit PBLSuperstore.com today for all your PBL needs!

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