Grand Valley State University
When: April 16, 2018
Where: Loosemore Auditorium, GVSU Pew Campus
Who: Grand Valley State University, Lowell Area Schools, Kentwood Public Schools, & Kent Innovation High
Symposium Highlights
Paula Lancaster, GVSU TEP director, asks a question of the panel which includes (from left to right) Ravel Bowman, student, Kent Innovation High; Lesley Brown, teacher, Kentwood Public Schools; Natalie Pollet, student teacher, Kentwood Public Schools; Amy Pallo, principal, Lowell High School; Dr. Kelly Margot, professor, GVSU.
Panel
As part of the formal project, which included welcoming remarks from the GVSU College of Education Dean Barry Kanpol and BIE Chief Program Officer, Brandon Wiley, the GVSU team invited a variety of Out of the Gate stakeholders--a student, a student teacher, a cooperating teacher, a school principal, and faculty--to participate in a panel discussion. Questions allowed panelists to describe their experience with PBL in each of their own contexts and how it's different from what they knew previously or expected it to be. They talked about misconceptions teachers had before launching their project, and challenges they faced in implementing their project. and how they continue to grow in their PBL practice. Faculty member, Kelly Margot, and principal, Amy Pallo, shared how PBL integrates beyond the classroom to the whole school and teacher education program. The conversation was expanded with probing questions from audience members. Allowing different voices and perspectives on PBL to be heard created a space of meaningful sharing and learning.
Movie: Interview with Participants
Faculty Member, Kelly Margot, created a short video interviewing one of each of the key participants in the Out of the Gate project--a student teacher, Brienne Forgette; a cooperating teacher, Lindsey Boyle; and a faculty member, Rosemary Cleveland. The video, shared below, captures a glimpse into of each of their experiences with PBL.
The Exhibition
Wesley Machiela, student teacher, and Cindy Shinsky, GVSU faculty, with another audience member
Brittney Irish, student teacher, and Brandon Wiley, BIE chief program officer
Julia Bierema, cooperating teacher, and Pam Page, GVSU faculty
On the left (l-r)Julie Towers, student teacher, Phil Matthews and Jeff Bush, cooperating teachers
Reflection
Connor Bilkos
Student Teacher in Mathematics at Kent Innovation High
l-r: Connor and faculty members Rosemary Cleveland, Jackie Bell, and Jack Petroelje plan their design in the Project Slice.
My participation in the Out of the Gate project has been especially impactful on my improvement as an educator. From planning to managing to teaching, my abilities within the classroom continue to improve along with my understanding of Project Based Learning within a mathematics classroom. At my placement, I have been able to launch and manage projects under the guidance of my mentor teacher, Julia Bierema. Both my geometry and precalculus classes have completed projects based on the unit’s learning targets. I’ve really enjoyed seeing students with a wide range of personalities come together to collaborate on projects. Specifically in mathematics, PBL allows students opportunities to apply concepts in unique ways. In turn, PBL reaches and supports both low- and high-achieving students. It has been so rewarding to experience Project Based Learning first hand, especially in a school that fully embraces the PBL model.