SHOW NOTES
Workshops and PBL
This episode focuses on using workshops as a primary means of delivering content in a PBL unit. Ryan Steuer, the host, uses a personal anecdote about a student named Brooke who skipped a workshop on compound complex sentences because she found the description unexciting. This anecdote leads into a discussion of mandatory versus voluntary workshops. Ryan then offers three key tips for teachers using workshops in PBL.
Key Concepts
- Workshops as the “heart” of PBL: Workshops are a central component of PBL, serving as a space for delivering content, fostering mastery, and addressing specific student needs.
- Need-to-know workshops: Workshops should be driven by student “need-to-knows” that emerge from the entry event and engagement with the project’s driving question and rubric.
- Mandatory vs. Voluntary Workshops: While voluntary workshops may work for some students, mandatory workshops ensure all students receive necessary instruction, especially on key standards or concepts.
- Repurposing Traditional Materials: Teachers can adapt existing materials like quizzes, labs, and activities for use in PBL workshops, connecting them to the project’s real-world context.
- Student and Community Partner-Led Workshops: To increase student engagement and ownership, students who have mastered a topic can lead workshops for their peers, and community partners can offer expertise related to the project. However, scaffolding and structure are essential for successful student or community partner-led workshops.
Call to Action
- Download the PBL vs. Project comparison chart from the show notes.
- Listen to the next episode about designing effective entry events.
- Rate and review the podcast.
Additional Notes:
- The host mentions that state testing scores tend to improve in PBL environments, even compared to traditional “skill and drill” approaches. He plans to share specific examples in future episodes.
Resources
Magnify Learning – www.magnifypbl.com
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