Getting Smart Podcast | Coaching for High Quality Project Based Learning

As part of the High Quality Project Based Learning project (see more on in the blog post The Need for a High Quality PBL Framework), we have been talking with education leaders around the country to learn more about what they feel is essential when it comes to improving PBL practices. Andrew Biros, longtime educator and current New Tech Network Coach, joined us for a conversation on this topic and about PBL teaching and learning.

New Tech Network is an organization that supports over 200 schools across the country in their pursuit of creating rich learning environments (including PBL) for teachers and students (see their website for more). Andrew works with schools in their first or second year in the Network. In the podcast, he also shares additional insights on deeper learning, leadership and teacher development.

Podcast Highlights

Here are some of Andrew’s thoughts and advice around high quality PBL:

How would you characterize high quality PBL?
High quality PBL has purpose. Student’s aren’t simply constructing the same dioramas. High quality PBL entails students exploring new concepts and knowledge, harnessing transferable and applicable skills by way of expert facilitation, inquiry and exploration. Through an iterative process, students use their learned knowledge and skills instrumentally to impact those outside of the four classroom walls.

What advice would you give new teachers starting out with PBL?
Spend time learning and listening to your students and the community in which you serve. Find out who students are, where they come from and be willing to share those same facets about yourself. Trust will grow, and you’ll begin to discover a myriad of opportunities to take purposeful risks that not only support of authentic teaching and learning but provide ways for students to learn applicable and transferable skills.

Anything else you want to share?
PBL (and the learning process) can be messy. Especially at first. Be willing to make mistakes, and be honest with students when things don’t go right. If you don’t give yourself space and time to learn, reflect and iterate on your practice, how can you expect your students to do the same concerning their own learning?

Listen to the podcasts for more!

This blog is part of the High Quality PBL project. This project is supported by Project Management Institute Educational Foundation (PMIEF) and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. For more, see www.BIE.org and follow @BIEpbl for all the latest news and resources on high-quality project-based learning and use hashtag #PBL.

For more, see:

• What We Are Doing to Ensure High Quality PBL For All
• 35 Leaders on the Successes and Challenges of Project-Based Learning
• 30 Leaders on the Successes and Challenges of Project-Based Learning
• Two EdLeaders on Global, High Quality Project-Based Learning
• The Need for a High Quality PBL Framework
• Connecting Project Based Learning to the Real World

Stay in-the-know with all things EdTech and innovations in learning by signing up to receive the weekly Smart Update. This post includes mentions of a Getting Smart partner. For a full list of partners, affiliate organizations and all other disclosures please see our Partner page.