Example Projects including Genius Hour

This is a presentation that was shared recently with Teachers at College Heights. The slides include links to a number of video descriptions of sample projects. We had some great conversation around different elements of PBL we could roll into existing projects or use to build new ones.

One of the example projects that got a lot of buzz here was the genius hour video. Its worth checking out #geniushour (aka Passion Projects, aka 20% time, aka FedEx Projects) if you are interested in launching an inquiry project and want students to own the process of developing a question, conducting research, and sharing their knowledge. I think the whole set-up provides a great avenue for Teacher experimentation as a Teacher can really get creative in finding ways to guide the project and teach the process while giving a great deal of student choice in the content (which isn't always possible or ideal ;). To that end if you are curious about genius hour I'd totally recommend searching the hashtag #geniushour, the work of Joy Kirr, or catching Gallit Zvi at the Spring Fling.

What's important to you as you consider reiterating a project you've run in the past? What do you work towards when creating new units or projects? What examples have you found helpful along the way?

Some Comprehensive PBL/ Student Inquiry Resources

We've had a few requests for Resources, so we wanted to share a few we've come across and find particularly useful. My question for you is - what are your favorite resources?

Books:

• PBL Starter Kit by John Larmar et al
• PBL in the Elementary Years by Sara Hallermann et al
• Project Based Learning Design and Coaching Guide by Thom Markham
• Thinking Through Project-Based Learning: Guiding Deeper Inquiry by Jane Krauss and Suzie Boss

Free Online Reading:

• Inovation Unit: A Teacher's Guide to Project-Based Learning
• BCTLA Points of Inquiry: A Framework for Information Literacy and the 21st Century Learner
• The National Academy Foundation and Pearson Foundation's Guide to PBL
• Focus on Inquiry: A Teacher's Guide to Implementing Inquiry-Based Learning by Alberta Learning 
• Project-Based Learning Research: Annotated Bibliography

Websites:

• Buck Institute of Education
• This is the site I frequent most often. With a free account you can download a number of valuable tools, and they even have a PBL DIY tutorial you can walk through on your own. 
• Edutopia
• Galileo Educational Network 
• High Tech High 
• Projects
• Seven Successful PBL Projects - an in depth look examples

Blogs:

• Experts and NewBIEs: Bloggers on PBL
• Edutopia Blog - Posts on PBL
• Mind/ Shift Blog - Posts on PBL
• Teach Thought Blog - Posts on PBL

Content Curated by Steve

• YouTube Video Playlist
• Project Based Learning Pinboard
• Inquiry Pinboard

So, what are your favorite resources? See something missing? Please comment below?

Cross posted to chaselearning.blogspot.ca