SHOW NOTES
Why PBL is Best for Kids?
- The episode focuses on why Project Based Learning (PBL) is beneficial for students.
- Host Ryan Steuer begins by sharing a story about his former student, Skyler.
- Skyler was a bright student in his early elementary years, but began to struggle around third grade.
- Skyler did not see the value of school and stopped completing his assignments, failing most of his classes.
- When Ryan introduced Project Based Learning and service learning in seventh and eighth grade, Skyler’s attitude towards school changed completely.
- Through PBL, Skyler finally understood why he needed to learn certain concepts. For example, he was motivated to learn about Punnett squares when he learned how they could help parents understand genetic diseases.
- Skyler’s PBL experience ignited a passion for photography.
- By high school, Skyler was a successful photographer with a large Instagram following, sponsorships from companies like Coleman and Valvoline, and a photo published in Time magazine.
- Skyler credits PBL with his success, saying it made him a lifelong learner.
- Ryan uses Skyler’s story to illustrate how PBL can transform students’ lives.
- He then explains three reasons why PBL is best for kids:
- PBL gives a context for learning.
- PBL goes beyond rote memorization and skill drills by providing students with real-world applications for their learning.
- PBL provides students with “handles” or contexts to help them understand the concepts they are learning.
- PBL is particularly beneficial for students in Title I schools who may lack the background knowledge and context to succeed in traditional learning environments.
- It is a myth that students need to learn the basics before they can engage in PBL. In fact, students need PBL to effectively learn the basics.
- PBL shows students how their work matters.
- PBL empowers students by giving them a voice and showing them that they can make a difference in their community.
- When students see the impact of their work, they become more engaged and motivated.
- PBL introduces students to slices of life that they might not know exist.
- PBL brings community partners into the classroom, exposing students to a variety of careers and life experiences.
- Meeting professionals from different fields helps students to envision themselves in those roles and expands their career aspirations.
- PBL provides students with opportunities they may not have otherwise had.
- PBL gives a context for learning.
- Ryan encourages listeners to visit whatispbl.com for a free set of resources to get started with PBL.
He concludes the episode by highlighting how PBL gives students hope and introduces them to a brand new future.
Magnify Learning – www.magnifypbl.com
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