153: Expert Panel Authentic Project Based Learning from IASB Conference

In this episode, I am sharing a session I was asked to present at the IASB conference. I have provided both the video and audio versions of this session. The beauty of this session is that we brought in a robust powerhouse of project based learning experts from around the country to help shape the narrative around why this work matters so much.

The session description is as follows:

Looking for ways to transform learning for your students? Join Pleasant Valley Schools and Mississippi Bend AEA to explore how they innovated to engage students and educators in authentic learning experiences and project-based learning. Attendees will examine real-world scenarios where teachers are weaving content standards, universal constructs and social-emotional competencies together—all while remaining collaborative and providing rigorous and authentic work. Give your students voice and choice, showcase their learning, and understand how this type of work can happen in YOUR classroom.

Check out the perspectives and the challenges to enhance learning experiences for all students.

 

The show is on Spotify!

Video Version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcDoocL9AQI

TOPICS WE EXPLOREQuick overview of the session and goals06:00 Chris Welch, administration perspective on authentic learning and students owning the learningStudents owning the learning changes the narrative around engagementUniversal Constructs that is so important10:00 rest of introductions and persepctive from Sarah Vice a 6th grade teacherFailure is a giftThe importance of human experienceProcess over product14:24 Steven Smith, NASA perspective8 most dreaded words "When am I ever going to use this?"Our students are going to be part of the space economyFailure is vital lesson we don't learn well19:21 Chris Welch, Administrator on providing context of how instructional design ofHow does civilizations from ancient history survive?What does survival look like present day with All Thirteen book?How do we then work with experts to think about the future that will be "present day" for our students?22:30 Jeff Robin and how to really think about projects from a real perspectiveTeachers need to do the project firstStudents don't want dumpster projectsYou only remember when learning is fun and exciting25:50 Amanda Clark and importance of strong leadershipNeed to provide space for teachers to be creative and to give teachers space to try things out.We need to do more than just teach standardsTeachers need support and love from leaders, community, school boards, etc.27:41 Erin Starkey and her story how pbl brought joy back to her teachingPBL was a lightbulb for Erin because she was passionate and that is contagiousPBL was a gamechanger because she found joy and in students from age of 4 and above29:30 Beth Campbell, librarian perspective on how to build school community to do the workIsolated spaces in schools are gone. PBL brings opportunities to team because together we are betterLibrary should be alive and vibrant with co-teaching and co-design for learning opportunitiesIncredible research on the brain and heart31:45 Chad Uhde, elementary principal and form PBL instructional coachPower of taking risks and see what we can do. Be brave to change identity of studentsPBL provides new outlet for students to showcase who they are and their why35:00 How do you assess and measure and quantify success?Jeff RobinCan the students explain what they have learned?Do we need an easy number?Are we doing education for ourselves or for the students?Erin StarkeyRequires intentional integrationUBD and designing formative flags around the wayConstantly meet needs of students naturally in PBLRubrics for learning not a checklist of tasksSteven SmithLots of standards are performance based on what students can doChallenge the paradigm that we need a numerical value for everythingLife does not work that wayPreparing students for a world that they will be creatingWe are not helping our students by creating widgetsAre we here for our students or ourselves?Why go through all the nonsense of teaching if we want each student to fit a single mold?We are in the space age and students will decide if they want to go to Disney in Florida, California, or space?We need to either start preparing our students for the future or stop pretending like we are tryingChris WelchFocus on standards and conversation on "How do you know?"Where is the learning visible?We end up with not just standards but thinking progressions on how to think at deeper cognitive rigor and DOK.Exchange not just instruction but facilitationYOUR CHALLENGE

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RESOURCE MENTIONED IN SHOWEverything can be found here - https://sites.google.com/view/creatingauthenticlearning/power-of-authentic-learningUniversal Constructs