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E7 - Connecting Authentic PBL to Students and Families

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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:
    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.

      4. 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

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