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E14 - Assessing Learning in PBL

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PBL and Assessments

This episode dives into the crucial role of assessment in a Project Based Learning (PBL) environment. Host Ryan Steuer emphasizes that implementing PBL effectively requires a shift in assessment practices, moving beyond traditional methods to ensure students are mastering both content knowledge and essential 21st-century skills.

Key Takeaway:

Administrators need to lead the shift towards effective PBL assessment by facilitating discussions, addressing grading concerns, and fostering transparency with both teachers and parents.

Main Topics Covered:

  • The Need for Assessment in PBL: Great teaching doesn't always equal great learning. Assessment is vital to confirm student mastery of content and employability skills. Solid assessment practices help determine the effectiveness of PBL implementation and other school initiatives. PBL promotes transparency in assessment, allowing clear insights into student progress.
    • Recommended Resource: "Life's a Project" by Andrew Larson offers valuable insights on assessment theory within a PBL framework.
    • Four Leadership Moves for Effective PBL Assessment: Facilitate Discussions About Shifting Assessment Practices: Prepare teachers for the transition to PBL assessments, including formative assessments, workshops, and reteaching strategies. Utilize visuals like the "PBL versus a project" graphic to illustrate the differences.
    • Address Grading in a PBL Context: Discuss how assessment should encompass both content mastery and 21st-century skills. Consider using separate grading "buckets" for areas like content knowledge, agency, presentation, and collaboration. Explore resources like Thomas Gusky's work and Ryan's book, PBL Simplified, for guidance on PBL grading.
    • Navigate Group vs. Individual Grading: Address concerns regarding group work and ensure fairness in grading. Steuer recommends focusing on individual student work and suggests a system where the initial steps of the PBL process are done individually to assess content knowledge.
    • Understand and Explain PBL Assessment to Parents: Equip yourself to articulate how and where teachers are assessing within the PBL framework. Be prepared to explain the rationale behind grading practices, particularly for collaboration and presentation.
    • Transparency in Assessment: Transparency benefits parents, students, teachers, and the school community as a whole. It helps demonstrate student progress, ensures accountability, allows for evaluation of PBL effectiveness, and improves community perception.

      • Call to Action: Magnify Learning's "Design Days" program helps schools launch their PBL vision effectively by providing leadership training and teacher workshops.

      PBL Masterclass for Administrators

      Looking Ahead: Episode 15 will focus on faculty collaboration in assessment, exploring how to involve teachers in the process to foster a culture of transparency and accountability.

      Magnify Learning - www.magnifypbl.com

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