Project-Based Learning

The state is wanting all teachers to move away from paper and pencil tests and replace them with more project-oriented assessments.

Differentiated instruction is also something the state began pushing last year and they want teachers to provide frameworks or guidelines for projects and let students choose topics and work independently or in small teams on projects.

I plan to use differentiated instruction and project-based learning almost exclusively this year which will be a major change for most, if not all, of my students and parents. This means no more cramming for tests and memorizing facts just you can get a grade only to forget everything in a week. Instead the focus will be on understanding, analysis, synthesis, application and other higher-level thinking skills.

Another change is in how grades will be done. Not only will assignments be differentiated and project-based, only High-Quality work will be accepted. If something is turned in and it not High Quality, or A, work, it will be given back to the student to work on until it is an A. No more accepting poor quality work and just giving it a C or D or F and moving on to the next assignment. Those that turn in high quality work the first time will be able to move on to the next assignment and have more choices in their learning. Soon everyone will learn that it is much better to turn in high quality work the first time. But my job is to help everyone turn in high quality work by providing resources, giving guidance, coaching them through the projects, etc. 

Evidence of learning will be kept in portfolios. We will use a 2 inch bunder with 8 tabs. Students will also create online portfolios – similar to what I have to make for my Masters degree. Maybe through a blog or through something Google has. Blogs have tabs and don’t require knowing how to use html so maybe that will work.

So much to say … so little time …