Project Based Learning

From the George Lucas Educational Foundation --Utopia web site I found the recent article on Project Based Learning which is what I base my Learning in Action class for students (also known as Independent Research Projects or Library Research Class). The only difference is that the article deals with collaboration projects with students on real time issues. The project is 3 to 8 weeks with lessons and assessments scaffold (write words?) in to help with their learning.

The Format:

1. Create teams of three or more students to work on an in-depth project for three to eight weeks.
2. Introduce a complex entry question that establishes a student's need to know, and scaffold the project with activities and new information that deepens the work.

3.Calendar the project through plans, drafts, timely benchmarks, and finally

4.the team's presentation to an outside panel of experts drawn from parents and the community.

5. Provide timely assessments and/or feedback on the projects for content, oral and written communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and other important skills.
(Need to create worksheet that includes the big essential question, members responsibilities, calandar of benchmarks, assessments for projects--ect.)

According to the article it will help increase test scores--(maybe this is the PLC group that I should be working with?).

This would be an excellent format for the enrichment classes held at the school.