Project Based Learning in Physics
During my first year teaching I was hired at a New Technology Network school in Holland, MI. New Tech describes themselves as "a nonprofit organization that transforms schools into innovative learning environments. Our project-based learning approach engages students with dynamic, rigorous curriculum. Through extensive professional development and hands-on coaching, our teachers evolve from keepers of knowledge to facilitators of rich, relevant learning." Below will describe some of the work I did during my first year teaching.
To the left is a sample of a project briefcase I used this year during a project called Physics ROCKS! Students learned about sound through music and building instruments. Their final product in this project was a paper along with a presentation that included a musical performance! Learners were put in groups based on general knowledge about the topic along with musical ability and interest. Once in the band students began to move through the project together.
This year was by no means perfect. It was my first year teaching and my first time facilitating project based learning (PBL) in four different subjects. The New Tech Network provided many supports for teachers starting out at their schools. I started the year by going to the New Tech Annual Conference held in New Orleans, LA where I was introduced to the model they use for PBL. I was also able to network with many individuals who would support me during my first year. Many of the projects I used this year were variations of projects I found in the project library, a database of projects that other New Tech facilitators have used in their classrooms. I would look at the standards I wanted to hit within a unit and search for them in the project library. Then I would tailor the project for what I thought would fit best for my students and the resources available at my school. Next year I am hoping to greatly improve the quality of the projects as I do some of them a second time around.
Problem Based Learning in a Math Classroom
To the right is a sample from my Statistics and Data class at Holland New Tech. I continue this approach currently at Manor New Tech. A portion of the class was taught in a problem based learning approach, where I set up smaller tasks for them to complete over a unit instead of one steady project to cover all of the standards in the unit. During this unit learners completed four separate tasks dealing with permutations and combinations. Direct instruction was given only when they asked for workshops on the material. Students were very self driven to complete the work.
Problem based learning I was slightly more familiar with coming into my first year teaching since it was a model I used frequently throughout student teaching. MSU stressed math instruction through real application tasks that students worked together on. A fellow MSU graduate who had worked at another New Tech school the year before me was a great resource for this class. She was able to share what she had done previously and provided a great base for me to work with during my first year. Going forward next year I will be able to edit an improve the lessons I planned this year to create a high cognitive demand.