EdcampYYC through the lens of Project Based Learning

As a reflection for Edcampyyc I wove the three conversations I attended with my enthusiasm for Project Based Learning (PBL in this post).
Session 1 Moving Beyond Grades
PBL is a key activity in respect to moving beyond grades or as @joe_bower puts it: "grades are an artificial inducement for teachers to get students to do what they want them to do." 

Standardized test preparation does not need to appear to go "out the window." It can be formative assessment embedded effectively into the PBL itself. Use the stems to create your own and as Bower simply put it (quotes from my tweets):

"Formative assessment tells us sts should not judge successes/fail BUT use it as information" now lobbing grade grenades @

Session 2 Open and Connected Learning

@courosa supplied the youtube eye candy, leading us to conclude open and connected learning can easily transcend a classroom to a level it can never return back to. This deep, risky concept for many teachers, young and seasoned, was summed up well by:

19 Apr
"There is short distance btwn students thoughts & social media-we can sensor or become more compassionate society"

My thoughts were of Grade 9 Math, solidifying lecture-only instruction focused on mastery (video or in-person) as a thin substitute for learning. Open and Connected Learning activities address the development of student identity and citizenship in ways that traditional approaches cannot. 

 Take a risk, step back &

19 Apr
Open learning "declaring an online identity is vital" on how we personalize with social media

Session 3 Leadership During Transformation

 Two sound bites from superintendent @cdsmeaton got me right in the gut in regards to connecting project based learning with a culture of innovation were:

19 Apr
"Engaging students is the most futuristic things you can do-critical piece for students to find their path" at


and

19 Apr
A major challenge in education is the inability to communicate transformation in schools to parents at


These were in regards to leading effectively in an era of constant change and challenge. Two main pillars of PBL are encouraging student voice and a public audience. Look to an essential elements checklist highlighting the fact to of these in PBL. 

 The twitter feed #edcampyyc was not much of a back channel, more of a cheer leading echo chamber; nevertheless, with more of these robust, ground-up, unpretentious, professional development opportunities we will only become more accomplished of making the most of the day.

 The organizers, Elboya teachers Matt Armstrong and Paul Genge must feel a great sense of accomplishment for designing an Edcamp that succeeded. They engineered a both a grassroots and a professional gathering with a specific YYC flavour.

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