Notes from Boss and Krauss, Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Imagining the Possibilities

Establishing the framework of a project--

1. Figuring out what is important

"Good projects get to the heart of a discipline... the more complex and important an idea, the better suited it is for the 21st century project treatment" (p. 43).

--Seek highly conceptual projects that allow for decisions and work within students' frames of interest
--Textbook is not the foundation, but a resource for students and teacher
--Review the standards looking for the "big ideas" 
-- Using the big ideas, think about real-world contexts and interdisciplinary connections
--Get comfortable with the unknown-- don't worry if projects end up in unfamiliar territory
--Don't plan the actual project-- that is what the kids will do*

    *This was something that I found challenging in our brainstorming sessions last week.  We kept coming up with ideas for what kids could do-- and I had to keep catching myself.  The goal is not to come up with the project, but to come up with a springboard, a driving question, or a problem for which the students will create a project. 

2. Planning for Rigor and 21st Century Skills


PBL is not just about the academic standards but the 21st century skills  (several lists on p. 48-49)


     --Digital-Age Literacy (scientific, economic, multicultural, technological)
     --Inventive Thinking (managing complexity, self-direction, curiousity, creativity, risk-taking)
     --Effective Communication (teaming, collaboration, interpersonal skills, personal and social responsiblity)
    --High Productivity (prioritizing, planning, managing time)
    --High Level thinking skills
    -- Research and Information Fluency ... etc.


literacy--learning to be independent, aware, and productive citizens 


"From now on, ask yourself: In what ways can a project help students learn how the world works and how they will work in the world?  How can it set them up to practice skills that will make them effective, lifelong learners?" (p. 51)


*I feel like that with the right driving question, the 21st century skills will just fall into place.  
 
3. Keeping Students in Mind


"passion-based learning" (p. 52)


Projects should authentically engage students-- be interesting and important.  


Essential Learning Functions--
1. Ubiquity
2. Deep Learning
3. Making things visible and discussable
4. Expressing ourselves, sharing ideas, building community
5. Collaboration
6. Research
7. Project Management-- Planning and Organization
8. Reflection and Iteration