How

To learn collaboration, work in teams. To learn critical thinking, take on complex problems. To learn oral communication, present. To learn written communication, write. To learn technology, use technology. To develop citizenship, take on civic and global issues. To learn about careers, do internships. To learn content, research and do all of the above. ~Project-based School Strategy, New Technology High School, Napa, California


 * How does a coach get started? **
 * Read this: [[file:edutopia-10tips-assessing-project-based-learning.pdf]] **

1. Curriculum Map! 2. Survey staff. 3. Study the data from diagnostic and formative assessments. 4. Use the librarian to dig for information about projects, book requests, teacher inquiries, etc. s/he encounters. 5. Conduct walk-throughs for ideas. 6. Ask students! 7. Create and facilitate grade level or cross-curricular team meetings or professional learning networks. 8. Plan ahead!


 * What strategies can be used when working with elective area teachers and classes? **

1. Determine the teacher's level of knowledge and comfort. 2. Find common ground, similar interest in their subject area to start a discussion. 3. Come with educational "gifts" in hand. ie. resources, examples, ideas 4. Inquiry Circles 5. Keep it real with authentic products. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">6. Focus on teamwork. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">7. Assess together!

Once you have developed and designed a project or unit, reflect on the following questions:

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; margin: 6pt 0in 6pt 12.6pt; tab-stops: 12.6pt; tabstops: 12.6pt; text-indent: -12.6pt;">Students learn important subject matter content and address problems and issues from the world outside the classroom ||  ||   ||   || <span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; margin: 6pt 0in 6pt 12.6pt; tab-stops: 12.6pt; tabstops: 12.6pt; text-indent: -12.6pt;">Students find the complex, open-ended question or challenge to be a meaningful focus for their work ||  ||   ||   || <span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; margin: 6pt 0in 6pt 12.6pt; tab-stops: 12.6pt; tabstops: 12.6pt; text-indent: -12.6pt;">Students are brought into the project by an entry event that captures interest and begins the inquiry process ||  ||   ||   || <span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; margin: 6pt 0in 6pt 12.6pt; tab-stops: 12.6pt; tabstops: 12.6pt; text-indent: -12.6pt;">Students think deeply and ask further questions as they generate answers and solutions ||  ||   ||   || <span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; margin: 6pt 0in 6pt 12.6pt; tab-stops: 8.1pt; tabstops: 8.1pt; text-indent: -12.6pt;">Students generate new answers and/or create unique products in response to the Driving Question or challenge ||  ||   ||   || <span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; margin: 6pt 0in 6pt 12.6pt; tab-stops: 12.6pt; tabstops: 12.6pt; text-indent: -12.6pt;">Students build critical & creative thinking, collaboration, and presentation skills that are taught and assessed ||  ||   ||   || <span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; margin: 6pt 0in 6pt 12.6pt; tab-stops: 8.1pt; tabstops: 8.1pt; text-indent: -12.6pt;">Students, with guidance from the teacher, make decisions that affect the course of the project ||  ||   ||   || <span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; margin: 6pt 0in 6pt 12.6pt; tab-stops: 8.1pt; tabstops: 8.1pt; text-indent: -12.6pt;">Students use feedback to improve their work and create high quality products ||  ||   ||   || <span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; margin: 6pt 0in 6pt 12.6pt; tab-stops: 8.1pt; tabstops: 8.1pt; text-indent: -12.6pt;">Students exhibit products or present solutions and explain their work to others and respond to content- and process-focused questions ||  ||   ||   ||
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 15pt;">Does the Project . . .? ** ||  ||   ||  **<span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 28pt;">? **  ||
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif';">FOCUS ON SIGNIFICANT CONTENT AND AUTHENTIC ISSUES **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif';">ORGANIZE ACTIVITIES AROUND A DRIVING QUESTION OR CHALLENGE **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif';">ESTABLISH A NEED TO KNOW AND DO **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif';">ENGAGE STUDENTS IN INQUIRY **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif';">REQUIRE INNOVATION **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif';">DEVELOP 21ST CENTURY SKILLS **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif';">ENCOURAGE STUDENT VOICE AND CHOICE **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif';">INCORPORATE FEEDBACK AND REVISION **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif';">CONCLUDE WITH A PUBLIC PRESENTATION **