PBL...Problem Based Learning

Problem-Based learning is a scary topic for me this year. Last year I would have been completely fine relinquishing control of the class and lesson and turning “control over to the students,” but I’m afraid…very afraid this year (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011). My group of fourth grade learners is very rambunctious. They require constant structure and guidance. Also, they have had minimal positive results in the area of collaborative learning as they tend to bicker and argue about the tiniest of issue. For example today, I had to terminate a game of Jeopardy, Light and Sound, because “you are cheating!” They would make remarks to one another and then to me. I continually remind them of the week of school we are in and the actions that “should” be taking place at this point, but it doesn’t seem to work, hence the reason for my GAME plan.

After reviewing this week’s resources I was able to identify with many of the challenges Dr. Ertmer listed as being parts of a Problem-Based learning scenario. For example, last week I was narrowing my lesson topic choice for the Learning Communities Board, but I was concerned about finding information, which was noted and once I thought about the available information, unit length, and potential for small group setting, my choice for Geometry was made. One of my main tools I plan to incorporate and utilize heavily is technology.

Technology can enable and support me and my lessons from beginning to the end. I have found it has helped me pinpoint my problem and have given me a guideline that has helped to diminish some anxiety as I begin a new task. While my students are not allowed to use technology to blog, which Ertmer suggests as a way of assessing, I can use the students can use the computers to complete some of the coursework (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011). The students will be very excited to “demonstrate their knowledge” by showcasing their work in Encyclopedia Britannica (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011). The students will be able to share their resources by sharing profiles they create within the site. I, too, can go into their workspaces to assess their saved work and have them create work samples as necessary.

The lessons should be entertaining as I enjoying the subject matter and I am ready to see what really works. I will allow the students more control and hold them accountable for their learning, while assessing them along the way to ensure they is understanding the content.

Resources:

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011). Spotlight on technology: Problem-based learning, Part 2 [Video webcast]. Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=6289949&Survey=1&47=8263976&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=1&bhcp=1