Journey Summary
This session will delve deeper into authentic learning. During the session, you will develop a real-world problem story to use with students during a Problem-based Learning (PBL) experience. This will be based on standards and a topic of your choice. The story will be used in the next session as the focus for building a PBL lesson for your classroom.
Curriculum-framing Questions
Essential Question
- How do problems make us stronger?
Unit Questions
- How can problem-based learning experiences be designed to increase problem-solving and critical thinking?
- How will a community of learners be strengthened with problem-based learning?
Content Questions
- What is a good topic for a PBL lesson?
- What is authentic learning?
- What are the elements of a problem story?
Introduction
We can help our students gain a deeper understanding of learning standards by developing a messy, authentic problem for them to grapple with. Using this type of problem keeps our learners engaged and interested in the learning, while simultaneously giving them a chance to apply the knowledge they gain. This standards-based approach of Problem-based Learning supports students’ understanding of the learning standards outlined for them.
Theory Behind Practice
All eMINTS materials are grounded in research-based best practices in K-12 education.
Digging Deeper
Agenda
- Opener: Swap Meet
- Teacher Planning Page
- Authentic Problem Stories
- Developing a Problem
- Meet the Problem
- Closer: Breaking News
Classroom Visit w/Students
Ask your facilitator to assist you as you implement some of the strategies used in the session.
Classroom Visit w/out Students
Ask your facilitator to discuss the lesson you are developing. Review the problem story using the checklist provided on the PBL Teacher Page. Discuss the sections of the PBL Teacher Page where you would like to have feedback.
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