Shifting+to+Project+Based+Learning

**Session Description:**
Project based learning is an established method of learning and teaching. Founded in Constructavist theory, PBL is widely employed in schools to motivate and engage students in realistic, relevant and resonant learning – which is open ended, driven by critical thinking – and can be blended to include the ‘21st century’ skills that are widely reported as essential student capabilities – that underpin all leaning, regardless of discipline. While PBL is a powerful way to teach, focusing on group participation, work ethic, presentation, communication and many other skills – the tools that are now widely available on the internet that assist both students and teacher is offering a new dimension to project based learning.
 * Project Based Learning –Foundations of working with technology in powerful enquiry based learning strategies.**
 * Overview:**

This workshop is intended to provide attendees with a Foundation in Project Based Learning – specifically using a limited, but powerful range of freely available online technologies. By understanding the PBL process, the workshop introduces, and models, effective teaching strategy – at both the individual level (designing and managing a successful PBL project) and at the faculty level – Selecting standards and blending whole school 21st Century Skills. Using a limited number of tools, the process of selecting outcomes, designing activities and assessment is covered – by teachers working in groups, using the student experience. Teachers will learn how to form effective student working groups, encourage both individual and group learning as well as creating assessment rubrics that allow students to navigate the learning process.
 * Why attend this workshop:**

In PBL, the teacher is a participant and guide – the focus is on challenging and supporting students. Web2.0, when blended into the learning process allows social cognition between students. For teachers it allows 1:1 support and continuous formative assessment.

At the end of the workshop, teachers will have developed an authentic PBL project, explored some effective ICT tools and resources.


 * Learn some neat strategies**

How to track and promote individual and group self-guided learning How to select and introduce a balanced number of technologies to promote the discipline an minimise the ‘bling’ effect of Web2.0 Lock-step student out of surface learning strategies – Googling the answer, cut and paste, lack of effort, last minute bursts of work Develop a simple, effective learning community of practice in your school to share and maintain resources, sharing the load – multiplying the reward.


 * Rethink the learning environment**

PBL refocuses learning away from the teacher. It promotes greater student responsibility to themselves and each other. At times, the student does need explicit instruction – but not all the answers. A PBL teacher doesn’t give the answers … they focus on better questions that draw out critical thinking though an organised and practical process – that can be learned.

This workshop gives teachers a practical immersion into a PBL environment. It focuses on pedagogical strategy and blended learning. As a foundation, it will give teachers a working understanding for further exploration.

Presenter Bio: Dean Groom, Sydney, Australia
Dean is Head of Educational Development Design at Macquarie University, and previously Head of Information Technology at a Sydney High School – passionate about creating workable ‘Web2.0’ classroom environments

He conducts workshops, provides advice to educators, and mentors teachers beginning to explore the pedagogical impact of technology and blended, enquiry approaches to learning. Dean works with a diverse range of educators in all sectors and participates and speask at conferences and symposia.He has co-authored two books about Learning with Technology with long time friend, Judy O’Connell, whom I regularly work with to provide professional learning for teachers and executives in cross sections of education in Australia and overseas.