That's exactly what came to my mind? How is it every time I watch a video on what great things are happening in schools I find they have so many more resources to work with? Some of the videos are not from the public system, I get that. However, I still get very frustrated when I see the haves and the have nots in a profession where all kids are equally important. By the way, great term, "stuffology" you nailed it!

Project based learning is a great strategy for all the reasons stated in the video clip. Unfortunately some may see it as a new learning strategy but it's been around a while. The expert from MIT states "to give up the idea of curriculum and replace it by a system where you learn this where you need it." It's a great concept and I fully agree with the comment made by the MIT professor. However, throwing out the curriculum, I am sure has been a heated topic of many discussions in many districts, and it's still driving what many teachers teach. Perhaps that's why the strategy seems "new". I like the idea of integrating the curriculum into project based learning. Realistically, for many teachers this may be the best compromise for now while the battle for useful informal student centered assessment vs standardized assessment, driven by curriculum, continues.

After watching this video, I reflected on how engaged the students were with their projects and how they took on that level of responsibility to work on the goal together. This was good to see vs. reading about it.

Students learn from PBL because it is hands-on. Presenting their findings to their teacher and peers for constructive criticism is indicative of real world learning.

Maryam

I'm understandably jealous... I think this program would be wonderful, given the money. Most teachers in California are now working under a $0 budget in order to save jobs. Do PBL on a $0 budget, then I'll be impressed.

PBL... has potential. No question. I had exactly $0 to buy supplies and equipment to implement what I was teaching. I watched this video and all I saw was thousands of dollars of equipment and materials. Is PBL not so much about the methodology as it is about the STUFFology. I'd be really impressed if they could do the same thing, but on a $0 budget. Then I'd be impressed.

Yes, I agree that special needs students need and would thrive on using Project Based Learning. I think this is true for many reasons - but mainly because when I think about Bloom's Taxonomy - I think that Project Based Learning takes kids to the application and synthesis levels of thinking where learning is by nature more enjoyable to the kids and more relevant and meaningful to them.

As a landscape architect turned science teacher I can oly say, that project based learning is the way engineers and achitects are taught in college, so I know it works. So,I have brought this to my classroom. The drawback is that same as always... slackers. You have to use a bit of collabrative learning along with the project learning and weave in a big dose of accountablity. And beware, most "projects" are available for plagarising on line, Watch out for u-tube project... I got fooled.

Project based learning supports the transition between school and work, an idea that has been encouraged in my district for a number of years. When students actually have something to show, a portfolio, for what they have done, the experience becomes pretty powerful. Experience gives them depth, interest brings breadth, and collaboration causes amplification.

I agree! and DOING for yourself rather than watching too.

I never understood why people were so afraid of "word problems" in math class. Isn't having a real world application the whole point of understanding math!?

The challenge for PBL is getting kids the concurrent support they need to complete a project that exceeds their skills.