Remember the packet?
I mentioned “the packet” the other day in a workshop could see that
everyone knew exactly what I was talking about.
The packet – a number of “worksheets”
stapled together that students can work on independently -in theory, not so
bad, in practice, not so good. Not too
long ago, there was a Youtube video, of a student
ranting against the packet- (warning – “strong language”). The video went viral, mostly because everyone
understood what this student was talking about!
However, not all packets are created equal. Some very good project-, problem- and
challenge-based learning activities start with something like a packet, but questions,
challenges, and resources send students far beyond the packet. The thing is, there are simple ways to get students to work independently, creatively, collaboratively, and thinking critically. Why not avoid the packet all together? You can present interactive problems with links,
collaborative discussion areas, brainstorming centers and student workspaces using
simple technology tools.
Take a look of these sample projects and launch your project
with the same creativity and learning objectives you expect from your
students (and look like you are some kind of techno-geek in the process).
These simple tools offer
students (and parents) 24-7 access to the project that they can never lose:
Wiki – this wiki is a great example of
how a problem can be presented, resources linked and places provided where
students can work and share with other students. This problem was presented to teams of
teachers in the problem-based learning style.
Livebinders-
I am a great fan of Livebinders because they are so simple to use. You can insert documents, provide links and
resources all in one nice neat package (note I did not say packet!)) This one presents a challenge to students,
provides links, resources, rubrics, and even a place for them to share their finished
products.
Blendspace provides a place for you to insert text to
present the challenge and then places that you can link websites, photos,
videos, etc. to give students different perspectives to study. This is a great way to share informational
text for common core standards.
Ted-Ed provides
a really simple interface where you can start students out with a challenge via
video (or just provide a video to get them thinking) and you can then supply “The
right questions” to get them thinking and learning. You can provide links to information, and
collaborative sites to enrich the lesson or project. Here is my most recent critical thinking problem on graffiti presented
Ted-ED style.
Google
web site and docs – This is a great mock-up of a class web page made by the
people at ITSCO for their AMLE work session. They used a Google site with links to separate
Google docs for the students to work on in small groups. They provided a large group timeline for the
entire group to work on and an exit quiz using Google forms for
assessment. What a great way to leverage
all of these free Google tools to provide resources, a collaborative space and
assessment. The ITSCO people did a great
job with all of their mini workshops at AMLE, you can check out their other
workshops and resources with this link. Top quality work!
Web
page I attended a PBL workshop last year, where Mr. Cooper was kind enough
to share his website with us. He shared some
great examples of how a teacher might use a website to present students with a
project, provide resources, etc. (Note: he has a place where you can “print the packet”
for those of you that ask “what if a
child does not have access to technology at home?”)
Want apps? Check out apps
for challenge based learning which provides suggestions for apps for
launching and supporting a challenge based learning project from start to
finish.
Setting up a SCAN scenario for
discussion can be a great way to launch a problem-based learning experience
with your students. You can attach links
customized to reading levels, and get them to see a problem from different
perspectives before they get started.
Although, I might not express myself in the same way as Jeff
Bliss has in his viral youtube video (although, I am pretty sure I might have
in high school!) I agree that “if you want kids to come in here and get excited
for this, you gotta make ‘em excited!” PBL’s
and technology are a great way to achieve that goal. Ditch those packets, as Bliss says “you gotta
take this job serious, it is the future of the nation!”
