Module 4: Exploring flexible path and pace through project based learning.

Objectives:

Learners will be able to define project-based learning
Learners will be able to consider how they can apply project-based learning in their classroom
Learners will see connections between project-based learning and playlists

Module 3 Refresh:

In Module 3 we emphasized understanding what a playlist is, and the steps to creating one. As we inch closer to your final project, of creating your own playlist, please refresh yourself on the steps discussed in Module 3. Then, pick one (or more) steps that you would like further clarification on and share it on the following Google Doc. Your peers, and myself will provide you with feedback!

What is Project-Based Learning?

Project-based learning is the idea that students learn, and understand content the best through actively engaging with it to create an end product; a project. These projects are the most valuable to students when they have authentic application, meaning that what is ultimately created reflects something that would be done in a real world setting. This concept is a result of John Dewey who argued that "students will develop personal investment in the material if they engage in real, meaningful tasks, and problems that emulate what experts do in real-world situations” (Krajcik & Blumenfeld, 2006, p. 318).

The Features of Project-Based Learning Environments:

A problem to be solved or a question to be answered
Authentic exploration and investigation
Collaborative (students, teachers, experts, community members) activities to support exploration
Use of technology to support inquiry and exploration
Creation of a project to address the answer of the problem/question

Check-in:

Please complete this Google Form to share about your experiences with project based learning.

Why project-based learning?

Throughout this mini-course we have been learning about flexible path and pace, playlist building, etc. As this course begins to shift towards a close, you may be wondering why. Why have we been learning this material? What is the ultimate purpose? We have been focusing on project-based learning as we will begin to really hone in on building a playlist that will be applicable to you, in your classroom, to support flexible path and pace for your students. You will be experiencing project-based learning!

As we move forward, I truly hope that this process will be beneficial to you and your students!

Project-based learning within your playlist:

As we begin building your playlists, I first want to connect the project itself, with the features of a project based learning environment. The goal with this it to help you see why a playlist will be beneficial to your students. Consider this to be a type of brainstorming activity, before we begin building your final playlist.

Please take some notes in your course vocab journal as these thoughts and questions will be beneficial to you moving forward.

A problem to be solved or a question to be answered: How can a playlist support the specific needs of your students? What do you want your students to be learning as they move through the playlist? How does your playlist provide differentiation? How will a playlist help you manage your classroom?
Authentic exploration and investigation: How will the playlist building process be authentic to you, and the needs of your classroom, but also, how will your provide exploration to your students through it?
Collaborative (students, teachers, experts, community members) activities to support exploration: Who can support you through this process (your classmates, teacher, colleagues, etc.)?
Use of technology to support inquiry and exploration: What technologies will help you build your playlist? What technologies will help your students? What technologies can your incorporate?
Creation of a project to address the answer of the problem/question: How does your final playlist answer the problem or question that you began with?

Implementing Flexible Path and Pace & Playlists in your class!

After considering the questions posed in the previous section, and with the creation of a playlist in mind; how can you implement flexible path and pace in your classroom/content area? Please answer the questions provided in the Padlet and respond and connect to your classmates.

How to start building your playlist!

After brainstorming in the previous section with your peers there are a few things to start considering in the beginning stages of your playlist.

At this point, you need to decide how you are formatting your playlist; will your playlist focus on one days worth of assignments, a week, a unit, a specific topic, etc. The choice is yours, but it will determine the pace that students will be working at.
You will also need to begin gathering the materials that you plan on using. That includes; pieces of the curriculum, texts, note taking devices, graphic organizers, different pieces of technology.
Begin thinking about how you will sequence the content that you are creating. In which order should activities, lessons, etc. be presented to your students? Which portions of the playlist will be independent, 1:1, small group, etc.

As you consider these points please make notes in a copy in the following Google Doc. I will be emailing you all a partner from the course who you will send your notes to. Your partner will review your ideas, and provide you with feedback! I will also be taking a look at your ideas to offer any suggestions that seem fit!

Putting it all together:

Throughout this mini-course we have covered everything from what flexible path and pace is, to how we determine the needs of our students, to now putting it all into action through creating our playlist.

My thoughts: The process of creating a playlist may seem daunting at first, but I want to assure you that through a little bit of trial and error, along with teacher and peer feedback, the pieces will truly fall into place. In order for me to best support you, please answer the following Poll to provide me feedback on your comfortability moving into the final project. If you answer that you are feeling a little uneasy, I will reach out to you to set up a time to meet via Zoom.

Click here for the final module: Module 5: Create Your Own Playlist!

Home Page: Shannon Gallagher's Mini-Course on Flexible Path and Pace in the Special Education Classroom

References:

Krajcik & Blumenfeld (2006); “Project Based Learning” (p. 317-333).