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PBL – Problem-Based Learning Activities
PBL is an inquiry-based student-centred learning model that involves students learning through authentic/real-world problems. Instead of the teacher presenting facts and concepts for students to memorise (direct teaching model), students need to research, draw upon and develop skills in multiple areas to solve the open-ended task.
Problem-Based Learning promotes critical thinking and problem-solving in authentic learning situations and collaboration when students work in teams.
What PBL activities have your children/students engaged in and enjoyed the most?
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Hi Kate,
I’m currently building a one week summer school programme for our incoming Y8/Y9 students that is constructed upon the practice of solving problems. Each student will identify a problem that they would like to address (practical/abstract/personal/local/global/etc.), and will present a project of their creation which expresses their approach and their considerations, supported by a one-page white paper. The format of their outcome is open. We will also be working collectively to address a school problem (absence of composting from our school canteen), as a team project. The programme includes R&D workshops, short taught interventions (10 mins max.), Breath & Movement workshops, and Technical Writing labs. Feedback will be issued in real time and during feedback sessions at the end of each day.
The overarching theme is Problems & Possibilities, exploring the interoperability between the two. I’ve selected faculty from across disciplines who will be working collectively in a supporting role to help students find expression for their projects.
I’m still working out the details, but have been busy erasing as many boundaries as I can find in the timetable 🙂
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Hi Ryan! This sounds like a really enriching school programme, I look forward to hearing more about the PBL topics the students decide upon.
We are in the early stages of organising a composting expert to come on The Network and share some information, there will be some useful tips your students can learn to help address your school composting problem.
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Thanks for the information about the composting expert. I look forward to hearing what he has to say.
I’m working with our chemistry and biology teachers to explore the soil science within the composting process. Next school year I plan to run a ‘Soil Society’ elective where students will manage and investigate the ‘soil research centre’ (sounds better than ‘compost’) while also creating a student-led platform/forum that will provide them with a voice into ecological concerns beyond the school community. The biggest challenges at this point are 1) creating a composting system that is appropriate for the school, and 2) getting students to manage the daily work of composting. In a school that has an overly-full academic workload, gaining this sort of engagement is a real challenge.
Perhaps there are others who have experience with maintaining student engagement with this sort of programming?
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