Intro to PBL 2-Day Workshop

Our Intro to PBL 2-Day workshop introduced teachers to the fundamentals of Project Based Learning through an interactive exploration into project design. As part of our workshop launch, teachers conducted empathy interviews with student users from Hongwanji Mission School to address the design challenge: “How might we improve the student experience?”

Using the design process, teacher teams built rapid prototypes of solutions to each of their student user’s needs. As a result of the design challenge, the students at Hongwanji felt their voices were heard and received warm feedback from their principal, Dave Randall, who genuinely felt like many of their ideas could be implemented.

Having a shared learning experience in PBL helps set the stage for student discourse and collaboration. Teachers explored what PBL means to them through a series of activities meant to ignite their passions and inspire creative designs. Using brainstorming strategies, exhibition prototyping, critique and revision, teachers designed a project seed to develop into a more detailed plan.

Student voice is vital in establishing a safe, inclusive, and collaborative classroom culture. Students participated in many aspects of the workshop, from providing insight into their school experience through empathy interviews, to providing feedback on teacher’s dream project designs. Participants felt like engaging with students was one of the highlights of their experience.

“Having the students come in, interviewing them, and hearing their advice gave us great insight into how we could improve what we already had.”- Ross, Science Teacher

Designing something from nothing is one of the key takeaways we hope to instill in teachers and students. Our workshop took place in Hongwanji Mission School’s makerspace. Equipped with Glowforge laser cutters and 3-D printers, teachers had access to professional quality prototyping tools at their fingertips! It couldn’t have been more ideal.

So, what does PBL mean to you? As continuous learners, our answer to this question will evolve. Hopefully it includes opportunities for students to create, collaborate, use critical thinking, reflect, critique and revise, prototype, exhibit and curate work that matters for an authentic audience.

If you’re interested in a PBL workshop experience at your school, contact us here.