Project-Based Learning Activity
Directions:
Students who have special gifts and talents often need extensions or problem-based learning opportunities to learn more about the content or dive deeper than just with the lesson and activities planned. Problem-Based Learning (PBLO) Opportunities, as defined from our textbook, are the process of learning problem solving strategies (Cengage, Inc., 2023). PBLOs follow a particular essence:
The students are presented with a problem for which the solution is not stated.
The students are made stakeholders in the problem.
The instructor plays the role of metacognitive coach, not information giver.
Sounds familiar? Our course is partially built on several of these concepts. Although I relay a lot of information, I really take a back seat on our sleuth squad days and see what you create. I love seeing that thought process become visible, because it is hands down one of the coolest things our brains do on the daily. Your mission for this quest is to create a problem-based learning activity of the subject of your choosing that a student could learn about the subject matter. Take a look at several of our previous sleuth squad quests as a guide. How did I set up the problem and how to get you all as stakeholders in completing the quests? Here are the steps to complete this quest:
In a Powerpoint, Google Slides, Prezi, or other presentation format, You will pose either a.) a problem that society is currently facing (pandemic, health care, education, etc.), b.) a problem or situation in your field of study that you would like to see changed, c.) a problem that faces students who have special gifts and talents from Chapter 10 in schools today (perfectionism, high expectations, engagement, etc.). Problem should not have a straight or easy answer.
Explain how students would become stakeholders in your problem. Are they going to be explorers, researchers, doctors, legislators, investigators, etc. to solve the problem? What tools might they need to use to help them solve the problem?
Create either a.) a rubric explaining the criteria, or what you want them to include in their solution or b.) an exemplar of what an a good solution would look like (think about how I did that with the social story).
Reflect on the process of creating a problem-based learning activity. What about it was easy? What about it was challenging? What do you think the impact would be for students with special gifts and talents to generate interest in your field by posing problems like the one you created.
XP Earned for this Quest: 400
Scooby snacks Earned for this Quest: 40