Let's Get Real About PBL
The book's companion website features an updated guide to help teachers integrate technology into PBL experiences for online and blended learning instruction.
Does project-based learning (PBL) feel just out of reach in in your secondary classroom? Is project-planning an overwhelming project in and of itself? Dr. Jennifer Pieratt, a consultant and former teacher, knows firsthand how challenging designing projects can be, especially for secondary teachers with large caseloads and short class periods to engage in meaningful teaching and learning.
In this hands-on, interactive guide, Pieratt supports secondary teachers through the iterative process of planning authentic project-based learning experiences. Using backward design, she gives teachers ready to use strategies for identifying the best concepts to tackle in PBL experiences, brainstorming realistic projects, facilitating meaningful learning, and creating formative and summative assessments. The book is visually accessible in style and features
#realtalk soundbites that tackle the challenges to implementing PBL
Tips and resources to support the project-planning process
Planning forms to guide you through planning your projects
Key terminology and acronyms in PBL
Exercises to help you reflect and process throughout your project plans
Master PBL planning with this clear, efficient, and easy-to-use guide to creating enriching experiences for your students! Industry Reviews
This is the book PBL educators have been waiting for! Whether you are starting out on your PBL journey or have been at it for years, this book is full of helpful ideas, tactics, and exemplars-the kind of book that never even makes it to the shelf because you are constantly using it. Jennifer Pieratt knows how to help educators realize their own potential to facilitate powerful PBL experiences for all students. This book is a window into her years of expertise and experiences. -- Emily Liebtag For someone new to teaching or to project-based learning, this workbook simplifies the process without letting go of essential elements that make the project a valuable educational experience. -- Marcia LeCompte * Dufrocq Elementary School, Baton Rouge, LA * This book is an excellent tool for any educator wanting to implement project-based learning in their classroom. It provides a step-by-step guide that takes you through the thought process-from posing the question for the project, to the planning that is involved before implementing the project, the process for implementing the project, assessment of the project, and the background resources needed to begin the process. -- Ellen Asregadoo * Public School 190, Brooklyn, NY * It is inspiring to see how our students can make a positive impact on our world when we as educators empower them through project-based learning. This book provides the necessary structures, supports, and encouragement to shift to these dynamic practices so that we can better serve all learners. I have witnessed firsthand the incredible transformation when educators shift practice to embrace the complexities of real-world challenges, and I am excited that this resource will help to spread these powerful learning opportunities to better serve all learners. -- Devin Vodicka * AltSchool, Oceanside, CA * In her introduction to Keep It Real With PBL, Jenny Pieratt describes her commitment to be direct with teachers about developing engaging and strong PBL experiences for their students. She has done just that, combining her deep experience from varied perspectives-PBL teacher and colleague, coach, consultant-to provide a straightforward but detailed path to developing high quality PBL opportunities for learners. Jenny is at once optimistic and realistic, encouraging and pragmatic. While this book is designed for teachers just starting out in PBL work, experienced PBL teachers will benefit from the thoroughness of Jenny's descriptions of planning and implementing strong PBL experiences-and will almost surely be introduced to useful new resources as well. -- Rick Lear
