Binge PBL for Administrators by Magnify Learning

By Magnify LearningEducation Courses

Binge PBL for Administrators by Magnify Learning episodes

December 22, 2024E0 - Introduction to Binge PBL for Administrators
Binge PBL for Administrators
This podcast is for visionary school administrators who are exploring Project Based Learning (PBL). Over 20 episodes, this podcast will explore the top PBL topics school administrators have asked about over the last decade.
The host will discuss topics such as:
Why PBL is the best approach for students and teachers
How to engage community partners
How to build a positive community perception for your school
How transforming faculty meetings can change collaboration in the classroom
This podcast will help you leave a legacy of doing what is best for teachers and kids and lead inspired for the rest of your career.
PBL Leadership Success Stories
Cynthia from Kentucky, a principal of a Title One elementary school who wants more for her students -
Shannon from Florida, a principal who has every teacher PBL certified and wants her students to reach the highest level of success possible.
Key takeaways:
This podcast will provide administrators with a free accelerated jump start to their PBL journey with a ton of resources along the way. PBL helps students achieve the highest level of success possible. Listeners are encouraged to rate and review the show to help other inspired leaders find their why and lead inspired.
Resources:
Episode 1: Listeners will receive a toolkit to get started.
Episode 5: Listeners will receive a free copy of Ryan Steuer’s book “PBL Simplified”.
Episode 10: Listeners will receive a free YouTube series specifically for administrators.
Sign up for Design Days to catapult your PBL journey forward. Design Days take place when Magnify Learning hosts you and your leadership team at one of their national PBL Model Schools to see the work and plan the work.
Magnify Learning - www.magnifypbl.com
4 min
December 21, 2024 E1 - Why PBL is Best for Kids...and Teachers and Administrators
Why is PBL Best for Kids and Teachers?
This podcast is for visionary school administrators who are exploring Project Based Learning (PBL). This episode focuses on how PBL is beneficial for students, teachers, and administrators. The host, Ryan Steuer, shares stories about how PBL has transformed the lives of students and teachers, and he explains how administrators can lead their schools to success with PBL.
Key Takeaways: PBL helps students develop context and "handles" for learning, become empowered, and get introduced to different careers. PBL helps teachers teach the way they've always wanted to teach, become empowered problem solvers, and improve their teaching practices through transparency. PBL helps administrators lead their schools instead of just managing them, build strong schools that can thrive even without them, and create a legacy of success. Administrators can create a new future for their schools with PBL by having a clear vision, building confidence, and rolling through that vision.
Resource:
WhatisPBL.com
Call to Action: Listeners are encouraged to rate and review the show to help other inspired leaders find their why and lead inspired.
Magnify Learning - www.magnifypbl.com
10 min
December 20, 2024E2 - What is PBL?
What is PBL?
Welcome to the Binge PBL for Administrators podcast, brought to you by Magnify Learning! This episode answers the question: What is PBL?
What is PBL?
An engaging, real-world instructional model that is scalable.
Brings together various initiatives like SEAL, personalization, engagement, and empowerment.
More than just a curriculum - Magnify Learning helps teachers become curriculum creators rather than providing a pre-made curriculum.
Defined as an inquiry-based approach focused on solving real-world problems, not just scenarios.
Fosters critical thinking, collaboration, and student agency, helping students shift from passive to active learning.
Key Mindsets and Specifics for Implementing PBL:
Classroom Shifts require administrative support, as teachers need to view things differently and receive professional development to enhance their skills.
Leadership Support from administrators is crucial to understand and provide teachers with the necessary support.
Changes in School Structure will be needed, including adjustments to faculty meetings, professional development, and schedules.
PBL vs. Traditional Teaching: Traditional teaching is teacher-centric, with the teacher controlling every minute PBL promotes student-driven learning where students are active problem-solvers.
Shifting from teacher-directed to student-driven learning is vital because passive and active learning impact the brain differently PBL compares traditional assessments to authentic demonstrations of learning PBL can lead to better results for teachers, while some PBL teachers might require additional support PBL focuses on collaboration, critical thinking, performance assessments, and continuous learning and mastery of standards.
Reflection and Feedback are crucial in PBL Students develop feedback and self-reflection skills.
Two episodes in the Binge PBL for Teachers podcast are dedicated to feedback and reflection.
Differing Goals of PBL and Traditional Teaching Traditional environments aim for content mastery, while PBL strives for content mastery, engagement, empowerment, and employability skills development.
PBL as a Framework: A mindset with a six-step structure outlined in the book "PBL Simplified," which is offered free to listeners.
PBL Compared to STEM and Service Learning: PBL has national models, unlike STEM and service learning It combines the rigor of content standard learning and mastery with real-world problem-solving.
Resource:
WhatisPBL.com
Call to Action: Rate and review the show to help other inspired leaders find their why and lead inspired.
Magnify Learning - www.magnifypbl.com
11 min
December 19, 2024 E3 - The Essential Elements of Authentic Project Based Learning
Essential Elements to Authentic PBL
Authentic PBL extends beyond hypothetical scenarios and delves into real-world problem-solving. Authenticity fuels student engagement and empowers them to take ownership of their learning. Projects should be driven by compelling questions or challenges that necessitate collaboration with community partners.
Southport Elementary: A Case Study in Authentic PBL
Ryan draws a compelling contrast between a traditional "Entrepreneur Day" (where students create products to sell to parents) and the authentic project undertaken by Southport Elementary. Southport students partnered with a local non-profit organization supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities. The project involved students marketing and selling products crafted by these individuals, fostering meaningful relationships and enabling students to master academic standards through real-world application. The authenticity of the project created a palpable difference, marked by genuine emotional responses from students and parents and a shared sense of purpose and impact.
Sustained Inquiry: The Heartbeat of Authentic PBL
Authenticity, coupled with sustained inquiry, is the key to deep student engagement. Sustained inquiry means students are actively engaged in exploring a problem over an extended period (4-6 weeks), fostering a sense of investment and ownership. Ryan shares an anecdote of a student applying his math skills to calculate the required number of cinder blocks for building raised garden beds, highlighting how authenticity elevates the relevance and application of academic concepts.
Reflection, Critique, and the Power of a Public Product: The significance of delivering a high-quality final product is emphasized, as students often present their work to community partners, showcasing the real-world impact of their efforts. In the Southport example, the culminating event was a presentation to the non-profit partner. Students are intrinsically motivated to produce exceptional work because they understand that their efforts have real-world implications.
Key Takeaways for School Leaders: Authenticity is paramount in PBL. It's not just a desirable feature; it's the foundational element that sets authentic PBL apart. When implementing PBL in your school, prioritize high-quality, authentic projects that involve community partners from the outset. Authentic PBL possesses the transformative power to change classrooms, schools, and lives. It's an investment worth making.
Resource:
WhatisPBL.com
Magnify Learning - www.magnifypbl.com
10 min
December 18, 2024 E4 - Connecting Authentic PBL with Personal Values
Connecting PBL to Your Personal Values
This episode uses a metaphor of crawling, walking, and running to describe the stages of PBL implementation:
Crawl: Gather information, understand vocabulary and the importance of PBL, and identify trusted resources. The book "PBL Simplified" is recommended, with specific chapters for administrators.
Walk: Visit schools successfully implementing PBL, bringing your leadership team and evaluation tools to observe classrooms and gain insights from teachers and students. Engage with students who may appear disengaged to understand their perspectives on PBL. Ryan shares a story of a seemingly disengaged student named Skyler who was deeply involved in his PBL unit. Once you're implementing PBL in your own school, school visits become crucial to showcase the work and foster a culture of pride.
Run: Align PBL with personal values, leadership values, and school goals. Define these values and compare them to the values inherent in PBL. A values activity from James Clear's book "Atomic Habits" is recommended for identifying your top five values. Encourage transparency and involve your leadership team in this activity. Empower your staff by giving them voice and choice in decision-making. Consider the PBL Master Class for administrators for a comprehensive overview of launching your PBL vision. Ensure that PBL aligns with district initiatives.
Key Takeaways for Administrators: PBL implementation is a journey, and it's okay to start slowly and progress at your own pace. Observing PBL in action at other schools provides invaluable insights and helps you envision PBL in your own context. Connecting PBL to your personal and school values is essential for authentic and sustainable implementation. Empowering your staff and fostering a culture of transparency are crucial for successful PBL integration.
Resources:
Masterclass for Administrators
Magnify Learning - www.magnifypbl.com
13 min
December 17, 2024E5 - Connecting Authentic PBL with District Goals and Initiatives
Connecting Authentic PBL and District Initiatives
The episode opens with an example of a large district partner that successfully integrated PBL to increase student engagement levels. This district secured grant funding for a three-year PBL training program, aligning perfectly with their district initiative. The success of the program, measured by training, coaching, and student outcomes, led to the widespread adoption of PBL throughout the district.
Key Strategies for Alignment:
Ryan outlines key strategies for connecting PBL with district goals and initiatives:
Identify District, Community, and Other Supports: Analyze the existing support systems within your community and school landscape.
Determine areas where support is strong and where additional resources or partnerships may be needed.
Secure support from key stakeholders, such as assistant superintendents, who can champion and protect your PBL efforts.
Intertwine PBL with Existing Initiatives:
Leverage district initiatives such as Social Emotional Learning (SEL) to enhance PBL implementation. PBL provides a natural framework for developing SEL competencies through its collaborative and student-centered approach.
Make PBL the "Dinner Plate": Instead of viewing PBL as an additional burden on teachers, position it as the foundation upon which other initiatives can be seamlessly integrated. Utilize the "Dinner Plate Protocol" to visually demonstrate how PBL can encompass various district mandates, including curriculum goals, personalized learning, differentiated instruction, real-world learning, employability skills, and the Profile of a Graduate.
Articulate Your "Why PBL" and "Why Now": Clearly define the rationale behind implementing PBL in your school and its connection to district goals. Draw upon research and resources to support your argument. Emphasize the importance of preparing students for future-ready skills, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration, and agency, in an era of rapid technological advancements and evolving job markets.
Communicating the Value of PBL:
To ensure the long-term success of PBL, effective communication is key:
Present PBL to the School Board: Showcase successful PBL projects to the school board, involving students in the presentations. This not only highlights the impact of PBL but also educates the board about its principles and benefits.
Engage in Dialogue with District Leadership: Proactively communicate with district leaders to ensure that PBL implementation aligns with their vision and priorities. Advocate for flexibility within district mandates to allow for the innovative approaches inherent in PBL.
Key Takeaways for Administrators:
Aligning PBL with district goals and initiatives is crucial for securing support, resources, and long-term sustainability.
Positioning PBL as the foundation for other initiatives, rather than an add-on, helps to streamline efforts and reduce teacher workload. Clearly articulating the "Why PBL" and "Why Now" message, supported by research and real-world examples, helps to build buy-in from stakeholders. Proactive communication with district leaders and the school board is essential for ensuring alignment and advocating for the flexibility needed to implement high-quality PBL.
The episode concludes with a reminder to consider joining a book study for "PBL Simplified" to gain momentum for your PBL work and build a shared understanding within your leadership team.
Resources
PBL Simplified Book Study and Resources
Magnify Learning - www.magnifypbl.com
12 min
December 16, 2024E6 - Connecting Authentic PBL with Your Team of Educators
Connecting PBL and Your Team
Key Takeaways:
This episode explores how school administrators can effectively lead their teams towards embracing project-based learning (PBL). By understanding the innovation curve, identifying early adopters and resistors, and providing targeted training and resources, you can foster a successful PBL implementation.
Main Topics Covered:
The Innovation Curve: Just like with technology adoption, educators adopt new practices at different paces. Understanding where your staff falls on the curve (Innovators, Early Adopters, Late Majority, Laggards) can help you tailor support. Examples are provided for how the innovation curve applies to curriculum adoption and PBL implementation.
Identifying and Supporting Early Adopters and Resistors: Identify teachers already using PBL elements (e.g., bringing in community partners, using workshops/stations). Engage early adopters in leadership roles and professional development. Provide resistors with smaller steps, such as incorporating a PBL entry event or observing PBL classrooms.
Training and Resources: A blend of summer training, ongoing coaching, and resource sharing is recommended. Coaching allows for Q&A, tailored support, and sharing of successful strategies.
Featured Resource: Book Recommendation: "Life's a Project: The Six A's of Project-Based Learning" by Andrew Larson. Written by a PBL certified facilitator with 25 years of experience. Explores deep PBL concepts through practical classroom stories. A valuable resource for understanding PBL assessment strategies. Available through Magnify Learning with an accompanying book study guide.
Life's a Project Book Study and Resources
Call to Action: Rate and review the podcast! Share your insights and what you found helpful. Stay tuned for the next episode, which will focus on engaging students and families in the PBL shift.
Magnify Learning - www.magnifypbl.com
11 min
December 15, 2024E7 - Connecting Authentic PBL to Students and Families
Connect Authentic PBL to Students and Families
This episode focuses on how administrators can effectively connect authentic PBL to students and families to build understanding and excitement for PBL implementation. The episode highlights the power of parent testimonials in promoting PBL and offers three key questions for administrators to consider.
Key Takeaways:
Engage families early and authentically in the PBL process. Address parent concerns and highlight PBL benefits clearly. Marketing and communication are key to building momentum for PBL.
Main Topics Covered:
Sandra's Story: The episode begins with a story about a parent, Sandra, who became a strong advocate for PBL after seeing its positive impact on her son. Sandra's son was an average student in a traditional school but thrived in a PBL environment, becoming more engaged and motivated. This story highlights the transformative potential of PBL and the importance of parent testimonials.
Three Key Questions for Administrators:
What do students and families need to understand about the PBL framework to feel excited about the changes? Acknowledge the difficulty of change, even when necessary. Focus on PBL outcomes and address common parent concerns, such as college preparation, participation in extracurricular activities, and program tracks. Explain the rationale for PBL and its relevance to the current workplace, emphasizing skills like problem-solving, collaboration, and creativity. Convey the need for school to adapt to changes in the workplace. Collect and share parent testimonials to create excitement and momentum.
How will you include student and parent voices in the decisions as you move towards PBL? Increase family engagement by involving them in decisions about PBL implementation. Involve parents and community partners in "profile of a graduate" work to define essential skills and knowledge for students. Bring parents and community partners on school visits and identify "bright spots" in PBL implementation. Use parents as an authentic audience for student presentations, providing valuable feedback and showcasing student growth.
How will you message and market the shift to PBL? Transparent communication and marketing are essential to building support for PBL. Share the success story of Rise Elementary in Neosho, Missouri, which successfully launched PBL through community meetings, parent-teacher-student panels, and proactive communication. Contrast this with a school where PBL failed due to negative perceptions and lack of support. Marketing is crucial to communicate the vision and benefits of PBL, gaining buy-in from stakeholders.
Call to Action: Administrators have a responsibility to explain PBL to families, build understanding, and generate excitement. Answer the three key questions with your leadership team to build momentum for a successful PBL launch.
Resources:
Facebook or IG
https://www.facebook.com/magnifylearning/
https://www.instagram.com/magnifylearning/
Next Episode: Getting your staff fully ready for PBL
Magnify Learning - www.magnifypbl.com
16 min
December 14, 2024E8 - Readying Your Staff for the Shift to PBL
Get Your Staff Ready for PBL
This episode focuses on how administrators can effectively prepare their staff for the shift to Project Based Learning (PBL). Host Ryan Steuer emphasizes the importance of gaining staff buy-in and creating a grassroots movement for successful PBL implementation.
Key Takeaways:
Address teacher concerns and build excitement for PBL. Empower teachers by involving them in decision-making processes. Market and communicate the benefits of PBL consistently.
Main Topics Covered:
The Importance of Staff Buy-In: Ryan highlights the need for staff to be on board with PBL and the potential challenges posed by resistant staff members. He suggests that gaining teacher support starts with showcasing the effectiveness of PBL in their specific classrooms and with their students.
Three Key Questions for Engaging Staff:
What do teachers need to understand about the PBL framework in order to feel excited about the changes? Acknowledge that PBL allows teachers to still teach their content, but in deeper ways, while still utilizing best practices. Utilize the "PBL versus a project" graphic to visually demonstrate the differences between traditional projects and PBL units, showing how existing teaching practices can be incorporated. Emphasize that PBL is an instructional model with a defined process, which can provide structure and boundaries while fostering creativity and engagement.
How will you include teacher voices in the decisions as you move towards PBL? Create a "Learning Team" of teachers who will learn about PBL, experiment with it in their classrooms, and share their experiences. Establish a "Leadership Team" consisting of administrators, coaches, and lead teachers who will visit a model PBL school, develop a three-year plan, and implement PBL in their classrooms. Determine how teachers prefer to learn about PBL and offer diverse learning opportunities, such as book studies, training, and school visits. Provide a "need-to-know" board where teachers can ask questions and receive answers in a transparent and collaborative manner.
How will you message and market the shift to PBL? Communicate the benefits of PBL for both students and teachers, emphasizing its positive impact on student outcomes, employability skills, and teacher satisfaction. Share real-world examples and stories, like the success of Rise Elementary, to illustrate how PBL can be implemented effectively. Host community and teacher meetings to provide information, answer questions, and address concerns. Form a leadership team through an interview process to identify passionate advocates who can drive PBL implementation. Continuously talk about PBL, using elevator speeches, one-pagers, and regular communication to keep the momentum going. View questions as opportunities to provide further information and talking points, fostering open dialogue and transparency.
Resources and Tools:
PBL vs Project Resource
PBL vs Project Video
Call to Action: Ryan encourages administrators to create a grassroots movement by empowering their staff, addressing their concerns, and generating excitement for PBL. He emphasizes the importance of consistent communication, collaboration, and a focus on student and teacher success.
Magnify Learning - www.magnifypbl.com
14 min
December 13, 2024E9 - Choosing Real-World Problems for Project Based Learning Units
Choosing Real World Problems for Project Based Learning
This episode focuses on how administrators can guide their staff in choosing real-world problems for Project Based Learning (PBL) units. Host Ryan Steuer emphasizes the importance of selecting authentic problems to foster student engagement and empower them through problem-solving.
Key Takeaways:
Real-world problems are crucial for student engagement and the development of essential skills. Administrators play a key role in guiding teachers to connect standards with authentic problem-solving. Collaboration with community partners can provide valuable insights and project ideas.
Main Topics Covered:
The Power of Real-World Problems: Ryan begins by highlighting the difference between tackling a real-world problem versus a hypothetical scenario. Real-world problems offer authentic learning experiences that engage students and equip them with employability skills.
Three Big Ideas for Administrators:
Connecting Projects to Relevant Challenges: Ryan emphasizes that relevance is key to student engagement and that connecting projects to local or global challenges makes a significant difference in the classroom. He encourages administrators to support teachers by: Shifting professional development to focus on connecting core standards to authentic problems. Providing resources and time for teachers to collaborate and build their capacity to see their curriculum in the context of the real world. Encouraging teachers to address the question of real-world application head-on, drawing on their content knowledge to highlight the relevance of their subjects.
Collaborating with Community Partners: Recognizing that some teachers may need help with the shift to real-world problem-solving, Steuer recommends bringing community partners into the fold. He suggests: Identifying "warm and friendly" community partners who are willing to collaborate, such as nonprofit leaders, museum and zoo outreach personnel, or personal connections. Facilitating meetings between teachers and community partners during PLCs where standards are displayed and connections can be made. Organizing site visits to local industries or businesses to expose teachers to real-world applications of their subject matter.
Creating Driving Questions: Ryan advocates for administrators to model the PBL process by using driving questions in faculty meetings. This allows teachers to: Experience firsthand how driving questions work and how they can lead to solving real problems within the school. Understand the characteristics of effective driving questions, such as not being easily googleable or having simple yes/no answers.
Addressing Teacher Needs: Ryan acknowledges that some teachers may require more support than others in transitioning to PBL. He suggests that administrators: Provide resources, professional development, and time for teachers to develop their understanding and skills. Use power standards work to help teachers focus on the most important standards and connect them to real-world applications. Gradually introduce teachers to real-world problem-solving, allowing them to build confidence and experience over time.
The Importance of Sharing: Ryan concludes by encouraging administrators to share resources and learn from each other. He suggests sharing the podcast and its resources to foster a culture of generosity and reciprocal support.
Call to Action: Reflect on your current approach to problem selection in PBL units. Are the problems authentic and relevant to students' lives? Begin exploring potential community partnerships that could enrich your PBL program. Start incorporating driving questions into faculty meetings to model the PBL process for your staff.
Resources:
PBL vs Project Resource
PBL vs Project Video
Magnify Learning - www.magnifypbl.com
14 min

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