Project-Based Learning (PBL)

Free Resources and Tools for Replicating Project-Based Learning

Educators from High Tech High in San Diego, California, and the Whitfield Career Academy’s 21st Century Learning Academy in Dalton, Georgia, have provided these resources for you to use in your own school.

April 11, 2011

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Credit: David Markus
Students in Whitfield County take on a range of multidisciplinary projects and learn math and physics while building an outdoor classroom.

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PBL PRIMERS

  • HTH 101 (12.2 MB)

    An overview presentation for High Tech High

  • Recruitment (8.8 MB)

    Presentation used to recruit prospective students to the 21st Century Learning Academy

  • Nuts & Bolts (53.6 MB)

    Presentation used to introduce new students to the 21st Century Learning Academy

  • Mission (64K)

    21st Century Learning Academy mission statement

  • Core Beliefs (60K)

    Ten core beliefs of the 21st Century Learning Academy

  • New Teacher Induction (4.3 MB)

    Agenda and presentation for welcoming new teachers into the 21st Century Learning Academy

ASSESSMENT TOOLS

  • Descriptive Review (70K)

    Document used for teachers and peers to discuss student work

  • Work Critique (69K)

    Chart used for critiquing all forms of work, based on guidelines from author and educator Ron Berger

  • Reflection Questions (93K)

    Forty questions, adapted from High Tech High by the 21st Century Learning Academy, to help students reflect on their work

  • Feedback Grid (73K)

    Inspired by the Stanford Design Center and used at the 21st Century Learning Academy for structuring critical feedback

  • Classroom Guide: Top Ten Tips for Assessing Project-Based Learning

    Link to classroom guide on assessment from Edutopia

SAMPLE PROJECTS

  • Detailed descriptions of dozens of High Tech High projects are at http://www.hightechhigh.org/projects

  • Lock Down: Laser Lab (103K)

    Science and technology sample project overview from the 21st Century Learning Academy

  • Mind, Body and Soul: Music Study (110K)

    Literature and history sample project overview from the 21st Century Learning Academy

  • Play Dead: Murder Mystery (112K)

    Cross-disciplinary sample project overview from the 21st Century Learning Academy

  • Ramp It Up: Building Wheelchair Ramps (97K)

    Math and construction sample project overview from the 21st Century Learning Academy

  • Additional project examples from the 21st Century Learning Academy available on teachers Eric White and Lindsey Ott's humanities page (log in as a guest): http://elearnwca.org/course/view.php?id=62

USEFUL LINKS

  • High Tech High's instructional and student-produced videos: http://videos.hightechhigh.org/

  • The 21st Century Learning Academy's YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/The21CLA

  • The 21st Century Learning Academy's Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/the21cla


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School Snapshot

Whitfield Career Academy And North Whitfield Middle School

Grades 6-8 | Dalton, GA
0
Per Pupil Expenditures
$8761 State$7887 Whitfield County
Free / Reduced Lunch
66%
DEMOGRAPHICS:
37% Hispanic
4% Multiracial
2% Black

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