In this podcast, we talked with Randy as well as with teachers and students from the school. Randy, Jim Conway (Art) and Kelly Gosalvez (8th grade Language Arts) and 3 students shared qualities and characteristics of great PBL teachers and why they think learning through projects is powerful. There are many voices on this podcast, but it is remarkable how they share similar thoughts and ideas about teaching and learning. It is clear there is a commitment to a similar vision.
Listen for these messages they share:
- Good projects require lots of iteration and feedback – “You don’t only have one shot, you get lots of shots”
- We need to prepare students for their current world now and whatever their future holds – “Knowing a direct object these days is not going to get you a job these days, at least not in Silicon Valley”
- Great teachers are team players and are open to feedback – “Teachers have to be passionate and want to be here. We even get feedback from the students”
- The whole staff has to be bought into the ‘why’ and committed to PBL – “If you are going to sustain it, you have to have the whole staff committed to come around the table”
S2:E5 Passionate + Flexible = Great PBL Teachers
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This blog originally appeared on Getting Smart.