PBL Training Reflective Report Date : 25.4.

2014 Name : Heena Patel Critical Friend : Neha Babi

Teaching-Learning happens through any approach but the success rate of learning depends on how effective the approach was and the purpose behind using a particular approach. Was it for learning with understanding or Was it learning just for assessment scores ? Project Based Learning gave an insight of what I was pondering about. The journey to unlearn and relearn began with PBL workshop by BIE and extension of the same by High Tech High. During this tenure, I had an opportunity to understand various aspects like planning, presenting, collaborating, strategies to assess learning, working in given time frame and using rubrics and protocols, all with a different approach. While planning my project for 3rd graders with average abilities, I had many questions in my mind like Will they be able to take this challenge ? Am I experimenting with them ? How would I manage the time crunch ? and so on. To begin with, I had essential questions and driving questions which led into the project that I took through seven stages. My project had various elements like surveys, making posters/ animal hangers, presentations , PPTs and inquiry. Students were novice to all these elements yet they performed with acceptable success rate. The challenge students and I faced was completion of tasks in the time frame. It extended more every time than what I had in my plan. Most of the aspects of the project went well though it was a new experience for this group of students. They were constantly engaged. More over the topic of the project aligned well with student interest and age group. There were few challenges to face, especially when students had to work in groups. It was a hard task making them understand that each participants contribution is valuable and they ought to listen to others accept their ideas

too. We came up with few rubrics for collaborative work by involving students in this process. This fizzled out problems to certain extent and helped in completion of project. While executing this project and attending training sessions, I had learnt aspects like following protocols, conducting presentations within a given time frame, skill of giving and receiving feedback, collaborative planning and integrating subjects. I had experienced the magic of giving students voice and choice. They performed better and came up with effective final products. Involving subject peers and unit peers in the journey of planning the project gave a scope for better ideas, more man power, sharing of responsibilities and close observation of student engagement in the class. To culminate, I now have an insight of the difference between PBL and Doing Projects. I understand the need to provide students with opportunities to practice 21st century skills, balanced with learning significant content and how to manage/execute a project in the classroom. My goal now would be to implement my learning in the classroom to gradually master new approaches and be a force multiplier by sharing with peers.