Last term our PBL, (Project Based Learning), primarily focused on research projects. These projects provided both individual and group work activities and outcomes.
It was interesting to note the massive improvement in the class’s ability to self regulate and work collaboratively, especially compared to the start of the year.
Some of the tasks were quite complex and they did push the children possibly beyond where they had been before in terms of research and deadlines. We all struggle when we don’t get our answer from typing it into Google and at times that was the frustration.
What did happen was the class as a whole did their best to complete the tasks and meet the deadlines.
Last term we also moved away from grades. As Alfie Kohn states, “Grades don’t prepare children for the “real world” – unless one has in mind a world where interest in learning and quality of thinking are unimportant.”
This is fundamentally what we look for in the class. Learning is crucial but effort and interest is much more important. One leads to the other.
This term looks exciting; everyone is tired but I’m still happy to see lots of smiles and children who love to be at college.
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