Impactful PBL Podcast: Recent Episodes
Candice Wilson-McCain
Candice Wilson-McCain is a curriculum and instruction specialist who helps educators plan and implement memorable learning experiences-mostly through project-based learning. She explores research-based practices and collaborates with educators to witness project-based learning in action. On this podcast, Candice provides resources, tips, and support to help educators craft learning experiences that empower their students to tackle challenges in school and their community through project-based learning. If you are an educator who desires to move from theory to practice with project-based learning, subscribe to the podcast to receive notification of new episodes. Let's talk PBL!
Do you have a topic to suggest or insight to share? Text me.
In the culminating episode of this season, we explore how instructional leaders can drive transformative change through project-based learning (PBL). We highlight how PBL has the potential to improve student learning and engagement when teachers can effectively facilitate the core practices of project-based instruction.
This episode examines how instructional leaders can support teachers beyond traditional professional development methods by providing continuous, differentiated support tailored to their school's unique needs and challenges.
Tune in to learn how you can utilize free tools, including our readiness assessment, blueprint guide, and articles, to develop a strategy for fostering a high-impact PBL culture at your school.
Resources mentioned during this podcast season.
1). Download the companion 30-page white paper: https://www.impactfulpbl.com/blueprint
2). Read the articles to learn how to build a sustainable PBL initiative
https://www.impactfulpbl.com/framework
3). Watch the webinar to learn more about how the Impactful PBL Network helps instructional leaders overcome the most common roadblocks faced when launching or scaling PBL at their school
https://www.impactfulpbl.com/programoverview
P.S. Have you taken the Impactful PBL Readiness Assessment yet? It's a great resource for instructional leaders like you who want to make informed decisions about implementing or strengthening PBL in their schools.Get Your Free Planning Guide Now >>
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review, and follow using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast, enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Do you have a topic to suggest or insight to share? Text me.
This episode explores how instructional leaders can create a unique school identity, engage parents and community members, and foster a robust PBL culture that differentiates their school from others.
Fostering a PBL culture in a school is not an overnight transformation. It typically spans three years, depending on the school's starting point. This journey requires careful planning, a clear vision, and an unwavering commitment to creating an environment where project-based instruction can thrive.
Hear about a partner school's roadmap to success and how you can use free resources such as the Impactful PBL Readiness Assessment and Impactful PBL Success Path Action Plan for guidance in mapping out a three-year PBL journey for your school.
1). Download the companion 30-page white paper: https://www.impactfulpbl.com/blueprint
2). Schedule a free strategy call: https://www.impactfulpbl.com/strategysession
P.S. Have you taken the Impactful PBL Readiness Assessment yet? It's a great resource for instructional leaders like you who want to make informed decisions about implementing or strengthening PBL in their schools.Get Your Free Planning Guide Now >>
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review, and follow using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast, enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Do you have a topic to suggest or insight to share? Text me.
This episode explores how instructional leaders can build an impactful professional development experience for teachers who facilitate project-based learning. We address the limitations of traditional professional development methods and advocate for a modern approach that provides teachers with sustained support and multiple pathways for engagement. We discuss the importance of starting with personalized growth plans and explain how an eight-week professional learning cycle can work for your school.
This episode provides practical insights to help you implement a structured yet flexible professional development approach, driving consistent improvement among your teachers while maintaining their engagement and enthusiasm for project-based learning.
1). Download the companion 30-page white paper: https://www.impactfulpbl.com/blueprint
2). Schedule a free strategy call: https://www.impactfulpbl.com/strategysession
P.S. Have you taken the Impactful PBL Readiness Assessment yet? It's a great resource for instructional leaders like you who want to make informed decisions about implementing or strengthening PBL in their schools.Get Your Free Planning Guide Now >>
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review, and follow using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast, enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Do you have a topic to suggest or insight to share? Text me.
The previous episode explored the necessary components of building an impactful project-based learning culture. This episode explores how to execute these components at your school. Recognizing most instructional leaders' limited capacity, we discuss how you can leverage the comprehensive support system the Impactful PBL Network provides for successfully implementing project-based learning (PBL). Building on the essential components required for PBL success: clarity, competence, and capacity, you'll discover how we tailor support to meet your teacher's needs.
Through our readiness assessment, professional development courses, coaching cycles, and community platform features, we can guide your school from the emerging to established stages of the PBL journey. We emphasize sustainable implementation, strategic planning, personalized support, and collaborative learning opportunities to drive meaningful and impactful change in your educational practice.
Join us to discover how you can create a flexible support system for teachers to drive PBL success at your school.
1). Download the companion 30-page white paper: https://www.impactfulpbl.com/blueprint
2). Schedule a free strategy call: https://www.impactfulpbl.com/strategysession
P.S. Have you taken the Impactful PBL Readiness Assessment yet? It's a great resource for instructional leaders like you who want to make informed decisions about implementing or strengthening PBL in their schools.Get Your Free Planning Guide Now >>
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review, and follow using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast, enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Do you have a topic to suggest or insight to share? Text me.
This episode explores how instructional leaders can create a sustainable project-based learning (PBL) culture in their schools by understanding and developing three core components for PBL success: clarity, competence, and capacity.
We'll discuss what it takes to shift from traditional instructional methods to project-based learning. You'll learn how clarity helps map out your vision for a project-based culture, competence builds essential teaching skills, and capacity ensures the resources or systems for sustainability are present.
We'll address common challenges, share practical strategies, and explore each component's transformative power in fostering a school-wide commitment to deeper learning. Tune in to discover how to take your school's PBL initiative to the next level.
1). Download the companion 30-page white paper: https://www.impactfulpbl.com/blueprint
2). Schedule a free strategy call: https://www.impactfulpbl.com/strategysession
P.S. Have you taken the Impactful PBL Readiness Assessment yet? It's a great resource for instructional leaders like you who want to make informed decisions about implementing or strengthening PBL in their schools.Get Your Free Planning Guide Now >>
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review, and follow using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast, enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Do you have a topic to suggest or insight to share? Text me.
This episode explores the main challenge instructional leaders face as they attempt to provide professional development support for project-based educators. As an instructional leader, you may find yourself excited by the promise of PBL, only to struggle with its practical execution. Traditional training sessions often leave teachers feeling overwhelmed and underprepared to transform their classroom practice.
Instead, we emphasize the importance of creating communities of practice that offer educators ongoing, collaborative, and context-specific support. By doing so, you can effectively adopt and sustain student-centered pedagogy. We'll outline the essential components of these communities and set the stage for a series focused on helping you improve professional development support for project-based educators.
Join us to discover how you can help teachers transform their teaching and create memorable project-based learning experiences for students.
1). Download the companion 30-page white paper: https://www.impactfulpbl.com/blueprint
2). Schedule a free strategy call: https://www.impactfulpbl.com/strategysession
P.S. Have you taken the Impactful PBL Readiness Assessment yet? It's a great resource for instructional leaders like you who want to make informed decisions about implementing or strengthening PBL in their schools.Get Your Free Planning Guide Now >>
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review, and follow using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast, enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Do you have a topic to suggest or insight to share? Text me.
Have teachers implemented a PBL unit but have not seen immediate results? Are you wondering if it's worth continuing? You're not alone. In fact, this is one of the most common reasons schools abandon their PBL initiatives - but here's why that's a costly mistake.
This episode reveals a crucial insight: building an effective PBL initiative takes time, typically spanning three years for full implementation. The impact of project-based learning directly correlates with the fidelity of implementation, but many schools cut their journey short before seeing real results.
In this episode, you'll discover:
- Why expecting immediate gains on standardized tests sets your PBL initiative up for failure
- The three key areas you should actually be measuring to track PBL success
- A practical 12-week cycle approach to implementing and measuring progress
- How successful schools maintain momentum during the crucial initial months
- The often-overlooked stakeholder feedback that indicates your program is working
Don't let impatience derail your PBL journey. Learn how to measure what really matters when building a sustainable project-based learning culture in your school.
P.S. Have you taken the Impactful PBL Readiness Assessment yet? It's a great resource for instructional leaders like you who want to make informed decisions about implementing or strengthening PBL in their schools.Get Your Free Planning Guide Now >>
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review, and follow using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast, enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Do you have a topic to suggest or insight to share? Text me.
Are you wondering how teachers can use predesigned project-based learning curriculum but still make it authentic for students? Most teachers prefer to have ready-to-facilitate lessons but also worry that the resources may not meet their students' academic needs and interests. This feeling leaves educators wondering how to solve this dilemma.
Don't worry. In this episode, you'll discover:
- How to identify and integrate local issues into existing PBL units
- Practical ways to incorporate student voices and choices
- Strategies for connecting with community experts and organizing field experiences
- Methods to design projects that create real value for your community
Don't allow even a well-designed PBL unit to feel generic and unrelatable to students. The good news? You don't have to start from scratch to make your projects relevant and meaningful. Listen to this episode to explore four easy ways to adapt instructional resources to create authentic project-based learning experiences for your students.
P.S. Have you taken the Impactful PBL Readiness Assessment yet? It's a great resource for instructional leaders like you who want to make informed decisions about implementing or strengthening PBL in their schools.Get Your Free Planning Guide Now >>
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review, and follow using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast, enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Do you have a topic to suggest or insight to share? Text me.
When launching project-based learning initiatives, school leaders often ask teachers to create resources from scratch or modify existing curricula. While this might seem cost-effective, it's actually compromising both teacher effectiveness and student outcomes.
This episode explores why teachers shouldn't create project-based learning resources from scratch and reveal a concerning trend I've observed while working with schools. Talented educators spend countless hours on curriculum development instead of focusing on what they do best - teaching.
Through real implementation examples, including one partner school's dramatic transformation, you'll discover:
- Why creating PBL resources requires specialized expertise beyond content knowledge
- How DIY curriculum development leads to inconsistent learning experiences and teacher burnout
- What makes pre-designed PBL resources more effective for sustainable implementation
- The true cost of asking teachers to create resources from scratch (hint: it's higher than you think)
- Essential criteria for selecting high-quality PBL resources that support both teachers and students
Don't let curriculum development distract your teachers from their core mission. Let's prepare your teachers and students for PBL success.
P.S. Have you taken the Impactful PBL Readiness Assessment yet? It's a great resource for instructional leaders like you who want to make informed decisions about implementing or strengthening PBL in their schools.Get Your Free Planning Guide Now >>
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review, and follow using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast, enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Do you have a topic to suggest or insight to share? Text me.
Is your project-based learning initiative struggling to gain traction? You're not alone. Many schools invest in PBL training only to see enthusiasm fade and implementation stall. But there's a crucial element that successful PBL schools have discovered: the power of teacher communities.
Our latest article explores how communities of practice amplify project-based learning impact by revealing why isolated PBL implementation often falls short – and how teacher collaboration transforms theoretical knowledge into sustainable practice.
Through my work with hundreds of teachers, I've seen how the right community structures turn struggling PBL programs into thriving learning environments. It's not about adding more workshops or training sessions. It's about creating the connections that sustain and strengthen practice over time.
In this episode, you'll discover:
- Why even the most passionate PBL educators need community support
- How teacher collaboration creates ripple effects across entire schools
- Five specific ways educators can leverage peer expertise
- The key elements that make PBL communities successful
- How the Impactful PBL Network structures teacher collaboration for maximum impact
Don't let your PBL initiative become another "great idea" that fades away. Learn how to build the teacher communities that make project-based learning stick.
P.S. Have you taken the Impactful PBL Readiness Assessment yet? It's a great resource for instructional leaders like you who want to make informed decisions about implementing or strengthening PBL in their schools.Get Your Free Planning Guide Now >>
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review, and follow using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast, enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Do you have a topic to suggest or insight to share? Text me.
What's one of the biggest challenges instructional leaders face? Viewing project-based learning as separate from their priority initiatives.
You're focused on reading scores, math benchmarks, and other pressing goals. PBL feels like a luxury you can't afford right now.
But what if PBL could be the framework that makes your existing initiatives more effective?
In this episode, we will explore how project-based learning:
- Naturally aligns with your current curriculum goals
- Integrates multiple subjects into one meaningful learning experience
- Enhances (not compete with) existing initiatives
Tune into the episode to discover how to stop viewing PBL as another item on your overflowing to-do list.
P.S. Have you taken the Impactful PBL Readiness Assessment yet? It's a great resource for instructional leaders like you who want to make informed decisions about implementing or strengthening PBL in their schools.Get Your Free Planning Guide Now >>
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review, and follow using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast, enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Do you have a topic to suggest or insight to share? Text me.
Remember the last time you sat through a professional development session that had absolutely nothing to do with your needs? That sinking feeling of wasted time while your actual challenges went unaddressed? Let's avoid accidentally hosting a dreadful professional development experience for project-based teachers.
It's time to flip the script on traditional professional development. Instead of top-down mandates, we're advocating for something revolutionary yet simple: letting teachers help design their own professional learning journeys.
In this episode, you'll discover:
- A proven 5-step method for creating a co-design PD experience that teachers will enjoy
- How to assess what your teachers really need (hint: it's not what you might think)
- Practical ways to offer multiple learning pathways that respect different learning styles
- Tips for leveraging existing expertise within your school
- Strategies for monitoring and adjusting your PD plan based on real feedback
The days of one-size-fits-all professional development are over. Your teachers deserve training that's as engaging and differentiated as the lessons they create for their students.
P.S. Have you taken the Impactful PBL Readiness Assessment yet? It's a great resource for instructional leaders like you who want to make informed decisions about implementing or strengthening PBL in their schools.Get Your Free Planning Guide Now >>
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review, and follow using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast, enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Do you have a topic to suggest or insight to share? Text me.
Are you struggling to connect teacher professional development with actual student growth in the classroom? You're not alone, and here's the good news: there's a way to ensure every step of teacher growth directly impacts student success!
In this episode, we explore how to help teachers make professional development plans that are meaningful to them and impact students' academic outcomes. We challenge the idea that teacher development and student outcomes are separate journeys.
In fact, when you pair them together, you create a powerful engine for school-wide transformation.
In this episode, you'll discover:
- How to help teachers create growth plans that target both their development AND student success
- What's really required to implement effective professional development that sticks
- Why this strategy works for teachers at all experience levels (not just veterans!)
- The five-step process that turns teacher growth into student achievement
P.S. Have you taken the Impactful PBL Readiness Assessment yet? It's a great resource for instructional leaders like you who want to make informed decisions about implementing or strengthening PBL in their schools.Get Your Free Planning Guide Now >>
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review, and follow using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast, enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Do you have a topic to suggest or insight to share? Text me.
Picture this: You're excited to bring project-based learning to your school. Your teachers say they're experienced with PBL, and you're ready to dive into advanced implementation strategies.
Sounds promising, right?
But here's what we recently discovered at one school: While leaders believed most of their teachers were PBL-savvy, a simple needs assessment revealed that less than half had actually used project-based instruction in their classrooms. This gap between perception and reality could have derailed their entire implementation.
This episode explores why understanding your actual starting point is crucial for PBL success. I’m sharing the exact process we use with our partner schools to ensure project-based initiatives don't just start strong – they stick.
In this episode, you'll discover:
- The six essential steps to create an effective needs assessment survey
- Why sending surveys 3 weeks before training is the sweet spot for success
- Ways to evaluate both novice and experienced PBL practitioners
- How to use assessment data to get genuine teacher buy-in
P.S. Have you taken the Impactful PBL Readiness Assessment yet? It's a great resource for instructional leaders like you who want to make informed decisions about implementing or strengthening PBL in their schools.Get Your Free Planning Guide Now >>
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review, and follow using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast, enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Do you have a topic to suggest or insight to share? Text me.
If you have been following the sustainable PBL series, you now understand that building a sustainable, high-impact, project-based culture is challenging and rewarding. School or district leaders encounter three primary roadblocks when launching a project-based learning (PBL) initiative: lack of clarity, lack of competence, and lack of capacity. In episodes 2-5, we explored the importance of overcoming these roadblocks and how to overcome them. If you skipped those episodes, I highly recommend you listen to them.
The success of project-based learning initiatives depends on initial implementation and teachers' sustaining project-based instructional practices over time. Instructional leaders play a crucial role in this process by creating the enabling conditions for teachers.
While exploring the three major roadblocks is beneficial, we must also address some common misconceptions about implementing project-based learning. These misconceptions can prevent you from starting PBL in your school or cause major setbacks to your progress (for those implementing PBL now), so let's address them.
In this episode, we will explore:
- Misconception 1: PBL doesn't require ongoing support
- Misconception 2: PBL isn't practical
- Misconception 3: PBL is too complicated
- Misconception 4: PBL is ineffective
- Misconception 5: PBL conflicts with other initiatives
P.S. Have you taken the Impactful PBL Readiness Assessment yet? It's a great resource for instructional leaders like you who want to make informed decisions about implementing or strengthening PBL in their schools.Get Your Free Planning Guide Now >>
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review, and follow using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast, enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Do you have a topic to suggest or insight to share? Text me.
The success of project-based learning initiatives depends on initial implementation efforts and teachers’ ability to sustain project-based instructional practices over time. Instructional leaders play a crucial role in this process by creating the conditions necessary to enhance teachers' ability to enact the core practices of project-based instruction. The challenge is figuring out how to foster the conditions for launching a successful project-based learning initiative and then how to maintain this effort beyond one school year.
In this episode, we will explore three tools to guide instructional leaders through planning their capacity-building efforts.
- Impactful Projects Readiness Assessment: a self-reflection tool to help instructional leaders identify progress and growth areas so they can craft an action plan to foster a high-impact, sustainable PBL initiative at their school
- Impactful Projects Success Path: a rubric describing the phases of a project-based learning initiative and the conditions necessary to achieve each level
- Impactful Projects Success Map: a planning guide to help instructional leaders begin taking action toward the next implementation phase
Resource: Take the Impactful Projects Readiness Assessment and receive the accompanying resources mentioned above.
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review, and follow using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast, enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Project-based learning (PBL) holds the transformative power to engage students actively, foster collaboration, and develop essential problem-solving skills. While PBL yields numerous benefits, implementation has its challenges.
Common challenges teachers face include:
- Adapting to a facilitator role
- Leveraging technology effectively
- Aligning projects with academic standards
- Conducting frequent formative assessments
- Differentiating instruction to cater to students' needs
Therefore, a comprehensive teacher development program is necessary to adopt project-based learning successfully. One-off workshops cannot suffice for the depth of understanding required. To genuinely foster a culture of project-based instruction, professional development should be continuous to provide the support necessary for educators to refine their instructional practices. In this episode, we unpack how high-impact professional development for teachers can increase student academic outcomes.
Stay tuned for the next episode; we will examine how to build capacity to sustain a project-based learning initiative.
Resource:Read the accompanying article for this episode.
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review, and follow using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast, enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
The challenges instructional leaders encounter when launching a project-based learning initiative often stem from a lack of vision setting. A well-defined vision for a project-based learning (PBL) initiative is essential. The vision not only articulates the purpose and goals of the initiative but also aligns with the school's core values and broader educational objectives. It fosters a cohesive and focused approach to implementation, ensuring educators understand the expectations and engage in the process.
This episode explores practical steps for creating and operationalizing a vision for project-based learning. I discuss the importance of school administrators' analyzing their current educational environment to formulate clear and measurable goals. I highlight the need for flexibility in the execution while remaining steadfast in the vision, acknowledging that the journey may require modifications based on feedback and challenges.
Stay tuned for the next episode to explore the importance of boosting teachers' competence to execute the vision effectively.
Now what?
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review, and follow using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast, enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
In this fast-paced, ever-changing world, teachers must adapt their teaching methods to prepare students for the challenges they will face in the real world. One approach that has gained traction for its ability to cultivate critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and student engagement is project-based learning (PBL). However, implementing and sustaining a high-impact project-based culture within a school or district comes with challenges. In this episode, we'll explore the roadblocks often encountered in building a sustainable PBL culture and discuss strategies for overcoming these obstacles.
We will discuss three primary roadblocks that school or district leaders encounter when launching a PBL initiative: lack of clarity, competence, and capacity.
1). Lack of Clarity
One of the common challenges in implementing PBL is the need for more clarity surrounding how the methodology aligns with the school's existing initiatives, curriculum, and overall culture. This lack of coherence can lead to a feeling of overwhelm, with numerous initiatives competing for attention, making it challenging to execute a strategic plan for project-based learning effectively.
2). Lack of Competence
Another roadblock is teachers receiving inadequate professional development to become proficient project-based educators. For PBL to thrive, teachers need proper training, coaching, mentoring, and access to resources to develop the necessary skills and confidence to facilitate PBL experiences for their students.
3). Lack of Capacity
Even if a PBL initiative launch is successful, sustaining it over the long term requires a robust support system, structured resources, and routines.
The journey of building a sustainable, high-impact, project-based learning culture is both challenging and rewarding. Acknowledging the potential roadblocks and taking proactive steps to overcome these obstacles can provide students with transformative learning experiences and prepare them for the future.
In this episode, I highlight three critical phases for achieving this goal: gaining clarity, boosting competence, and building capacity.
Stay tuned for the next episode, where we will explore strategies for gaining clarity by creating a vision to support the growth of a project-based culture.
Now what?
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review, and follow using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast, enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Welcome to season 3! This series will focus on how to build a sustainable, high-impact, project-based culture at your school site or within your school district without overwhelming instructional leaders, teachers, and students. This series is designed for school leaders, professional development coordinators for districts, PBL coordinators, teacher mentors, or anyone serving in a role that supports current or aspiring project-based teachers.
It's been a while since our last season. So, in this episode, I will...
- Share what we've been up to (spoiler alert: supporting teachers to facilitate PBL) and what we have learned about providing professional development focused on project-based learning
- Explore how my journey with project-based learning has evolved from being a teacher to designing professional development
- Explain how we are reimagining professional development for project-based educators and what it means for the Impactful PBL Network, our core program
- Preview the episode topics for season 3 and how it will help you launch or relaunch a low-burden, high-impact project-based learning culture at your school site
Listen to the next episode in this series to examine the components necessary to build a sustainable project-based culture at your school site.
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review, and follow using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast, enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Season 2 of the Impactful PBL Podcast ended in May which marked two years of this podcast. The podcast started as a “learn in public” project so that I can document my professional journey and share insights about what I’m learning about project-based learning. In this episode, I’m sharing a progress update on my 2021-2022 goals and why I'm pausing the podcast.
Tune in to...
- Explore what it means to learn in public and why I started this podcast
- Hear why I'm shifting to building in public
- Examine successes & failures with my 2021-2022 professional growth goals
- Hear about my professional growth goals for the 2022-2023 school year and what it means for this podcast
Are you ready to become a high-impact project-based educator?
- [FREE] Download the Impactful PBL Roadmap™ planning document to craft your next project-based learning unit + receive weekly tips to enhance your facilitation skills via email.
- [FREE] Check out The Impactful PBL Roadmap™: 9 Steps to PBL Success e-guide which covers the nine phases you need to design a memorable, authentic, and rigorous learning experience for K-8 students via project-based learning.
- [PAID] Join our Impactful PBL Roadmap™: Launch program, an online course, coach, and community of educators exploring and implementing research-backed project-based instructional practices.
Phase 2 of the Impactful PBL Roadmap™ is to map the scenario and write a driving question. The initial scenario structure will involve first determining what students will learn (i.e. standards), thinking of a theme or topic second, and then writing the driving question. The next step is to draft a scenario. I've noticed that most teachers can select standards, a theme, and compose a driving question but some struggle with writing the scenario in its entirety. In this episode, we will explore how to write a compelling scenario for a PBL unit.
Visit https://www.impactfulpbl.com/podcast/episode44 for the blog post that accompany this episode
As I support teachers to design project-based learning experiences, I notice confusion often arises during phase 5 of the Impactful PBL Roadmap™ planning process. Phase 5 is about creating students' daily learning experiences or lessons. Teachers are usually excited about exploring project-based learning as an instructional method. However, when asked why they haven't implemented project-based learning in their classroom as of yet or why they don't facilitate a project-based learning unit often, teachers typically state that time is a factor.
I generally hear, "I don't have time for projects because I have to teach the standards or follow the district-provided curriculum." When I hear these sentiments, I immediately know that the teacher is unclear about how to draft a PBL unit plan. This episode is for you if you have uttered these statements before. In this episode, we will explore how to write a PBL unit plan.
Visit https://www.impactfulpbl.com/podcast/episode43 for the blog post that accompany this episode.
An essential part of the project-based learning experience is producing a public product or artifact to showcase knowledge for an authentic audience. Depending on the PBL topic and driving questions, the audience could be peers, parents, or community members.
Teachers often wonder what students can create for projects besides designing a poster or presentation. Students may also struggle to come up with ideas without seeing examples or without being given a list of example public products. This episode will explore how to utilize the driving question to help students brainstorm public products to share their knowledge. The goal is to create learning experiences that apply to the real world by connecting what students are taught in school to real-world issues, challenges, or problems.
Visit https://www.impactfulpbl.com/podcast/episode42 for the blog post that accompany this episode.
It is essential students buy into their project since they will be exploring their complex question or challenge over an extended time. While hooks for traditional lessons are typically short, less than ten minutes, project-based learning hooks may vary in length to sustain students' interest over a more extended period. A PBL hook typically occurs at the start of the unit, although it is not uncommon for teachers to integrate several ways to cultivate students' interest throughout the project. In this episode, we will explore how to get students excited about the project-based learning topic.
Visit https://www.impactfulpbl.com/podcast/episode41 for the blog post that accompany this episode.
In traditional learning experiences, subject areas are taught in silos, and teaching often focuses on the "what" of a subject area. Students do not synthesize the material when they memorize parts of a cell in isolation or memorize the steps to solve a math problem without understanding why the process works. Educators know that knowledge should not be measured by simple content regurgitation. It is often encouraged to connect multiple content areas within lessons. In this episode, we will explore how to promote STEM education during PBL?
Visit https://www.impactfulpbl.com/podcast/episode40 for the blog post that accompany this episode.
We've all participated in a fundraiser at some point in our life, especially as a student. It seems kids bring home items to sell every year to support a team, club, or school. Although many students do not necessarily think about whether or not their fundraising efforts are supporting a cause, they gain some valuable skills during the process. You may be excited (or at least interested) in incorporating a fundraising component into your PBL curriculum but wonder how to get started. As you can imagine, executing a successful fundraiser takes planning. In this episode, we will explore how students can support a cause via project-based learning?.
Visit https://www.impactfulpbl.com/podcast/episode39 for the blog post that accompany this episode.
Project-based learning is an effective way to help students foster their social-emotional learning skills, especially during group collaboration. During phase eight of the Impactful PBL Roadmap™ planning guide, we focus on uniting students and building a collaborative culture. It’s easy to assume that all students enjoy collaborating, possess the skills to handle conflict effectively, and understand how to interact with feedback. However, as educators, we must teach students how to contribute as effective group members. In this episode, we will explore how to create a dynamic group culture during project-based learning.
Visit https://www.impactfulpbl.com/podcast/episode38 for the blog post that accompany this episode.
Recently I’ve heard from many of you that listen to the podcast, attend my workshops, or communicate with me on LinkedIn that you're finishing up a project-based learning unit. I've been checking in with past and current members of the Impactful PBL Network to hear updates. I love to listen to what's working, what's not working, and what you're learning.
I know it can be easy to wrap up a project-based learning unit and immediately move on without really having closure. When this happens, it can lead to a feeling that PBL was just "a thing we did that one time."
But if we want to build a robust project-based learning culture in classrooms, we must do some practices consistently. Reflection is a critical practice to implement. I often hear from teachers that they skip the reflection process due to timing, but trust me, making time for reflection is essential.
In this episode, we will explore the role reflection play in the project-based learning process.
Visit https://www.impactfulpbl.com/podcast/episode37 for the blog post that accompany this episode.
As a project-based learning coach, I'm often asked if it's possible to design a PBL unit that integrates standards. Teachers wonder how they will find time to teach content standards and allow students to create public products. Identifying the learning objectives for your project-based learning unit is phase one of the Impactful PBL Roadmap, the planning framework that I created to help educators craft a high-quality project-based learning unit for students. In this episode, I will share the audio version of a short training that I led to help educators select purposeful learning objectives for their PBL unit. If you are struggling with this phase, perhaps this training will help you move forward in your planning process.
Tune in to...
- [1:50] Discover the nine phases of the Impactful PBL Roadmap
- [4:17] Identify how to select academic standards for a PBL unit
- [5:23] Explore ways to make a PBL experience interdisciplinary
- [8:54] Hear how it’s possible to collaborate with colleagues when designing a PBL unit
Resources mentioned in the episode:
- Visit https://www.impactfulpbl.com/podcast/episode36 for the blog post that accompany this episode.
- Do you have a question related to enhancing your skills as a project-based educator? Visit https://www.speakpipe.com/ImpactfulPBL to send us a message.
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
I enjoyed college because most of the learning activities that professors used would be considered active learning strategies. We engaged in many case studies or projects, and the professor would utilize relevant current events to lead class discussions. I can share specific learning activities that I experienced during undergraduate and graduate school which occurred over 15 years ago. We want students to remember their learning experiences two decades later as well.
In a previous episode, I shared the 6 A's of project design that Adria Steinberg developed: authenticity, academic rigor, applied learning, active exploration, adult connections, and assessment practices. In Episode 34, we discuss how to incorporate adult connections or relationships in a project-based learning unit. This episode will explore how to ensure that your PBL unit includes active exploration and applied learning opportunities so that students can experience academic-related content beyond the classroom.
Tune in to...
- [2:19] Hear the common concerns teachers express when incorporating active learning strategies during project-based learning units
- [2:45 Discover the benefits of active exploration and how to integrate it within your unit
- [4:50] Explore how applied learning leads to long term mastery and creates memorable experiences
- [7:19] Identify ways to enhance students’ learning experiences and how to reflect on a previous project-based learning unit
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Visit https://www.impactfulpbl.com/podcast/episode35 for the blog post that accompany this episode.
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
When researching the components of a quality project-based learning unit, you will find several frameworks stating what PBL should look sound, and feel like. Depending on the source, the actual vocabulary may vary, but they all share the same concepts. In Adria Steinberg's Connected Learning Communities: A Toolkit for Reinventing High School, written in 2001, she shares the 6 A's of instructional or project design.
One instructional design component is to include adult connections/relationships when designing learning experiences. Integrating adult connections or relationships means providing students with adult mentors and coaches from the wider community. This episode will explore how incorporating community partners can positively impact your students' project-based learning experience and ways to prepare adult partners for collaboration.
Tune in to...
- [0:45] Discover the 6 A’s of instructional design
- [2:14] Analyze the benefits of incorporating community partners
- [3:30] Identify the various roles that community partners can hold
- [5:34] Hear why it’s important to have a real community partner
- [6:08] Explore how to prepare community partners to support your PBL unit
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Visit https://www.impactfulpbl.com/podcast/episode34 for the blog post that accompany this episode.
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Every school year, I explore a new professional learning growth project. Some of my past explorations included in-depth research on virtual coaching, program design, curriculum writing, designing after-school programming, and project-based learning. This year, I'm examining how to utilize portfolios effectively to improve practice. There are several types of portfolios. Before collecting artifacts, it's essential to determine the purpose and intended outcome of your portfolio. Let's discuss how creating a portfolio as a project-based educator can help you document your learning journey. This episode will examine how to use portfolios to enhance educators' teaching practice and how I plan to incorporate portfolios in my work.
Tune in to...
- [1:16] Explore the various types of portfolios and why it’s important to choose the correct one based on your goals
- [3:22] Examine the purpose of a teaching portfolio
- [5:12] Discover how I plan to support project-based teachers in developing a portfolio to document their learning journey
- [6:57] Hear how I plan to incorporate portfolios to document my learning journey
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Visit https://www.impactfulpbl.com/podcast/episode33 for the blog post that accompany this episode.
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Project-based learning is not an instructional method where teachers can attend one workshop and master it. As you know, project-based educators continuously enhance their instructional skills by learning from implementation and being lifelong learners. Effective project-based educators focus on student academic and personal growth and their own growth as well.
They understand that it's a journey; however, some teachers find it challenging to identify the next steps on their professional learning path. After supporting hundreds of teachers in executing PBL, I've noticed several factors that impact their ability to implement PBL successfully. In this episode, we will explore the steps to becoming an impactful project-based educator.
Tune in to...
- [0:45] Explore the importance of continuous PBL professional development for teachers
- [2:48] Discover the characteristics of a “wanderer” and determine if you resonate with this stage of the PBL journey
- [3:50] Discover the characteristics of an “explorer” and determine if you resonate with this stage of the PBL journey
- [5:07] Discover the characteristics of an “adventurer” and determine if you resonate with this stage of the PBL journey
- [6:25] Discover the characteristics of a “navigator” and determine if you resonate with this stage of the PBL journey
- [7:43] Determine where you are on your PBL journey and how to create a professional learning goal
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Visit https://www.impactfulpbl.com/podcast/episode32 for the blog post that accompany this episode.
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Season 1 of the Impactful PBL Podcast is coming to an end. It’s officially been a year since I started this podcast. The podcast started as a “learn in public” project so that I can document my professional journey and share insights about what I’m learning about project-based learning. In this episode, I’m sharing why I decided to create a “learn in public” project, how teachers can do the same, and what to expect during season 2 of the podcast.
Tune in to...
* Explore what it means to learn in public
* Analyze the benefits of learning in public
* Discover the challenging part about learning in public
* Examine ways teachers can learn in public
* Hear about my experience with learning in public
* Identify the steps teachers can take to start learning in public
* Hear what to expect for future episodes of the Impactful PBL Podcast
Resources mentioned in the episode:
1. Visit https://www.impactfulpbl.com/podcast/episode31 for the blog post that accompany this episode.
2. Download the “Season 1: Impactful PBL Podcast Summer Action Guide.” It’s like a book study but for podcasts. I curated the most relevant episodes and provided action tasks so that teachers can leverage their time this summer by writing their first or next outline for a PBL unit. You can find it here: bit.ly/pblpodcastseason1
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Let’s explore how teachers can enhance their project-based learning unit culminating event. In episode 26, we examined how to plan a showcase to help students share their knowledge with an authentic audience. Many teachers are able to plan creative ways for students to share their knowledge, and their students can create great solutions to their projects' driving question. However, some teachers experience difficulty fostering an environment where students are equipped to share their learning journey. In this episode, we will examine how to shift students from delivering presentations to presentations of learning.
Tune in to...
- Identify the benefits of students sharing their knowledge publicly
- Discover the difference between presentations versus presentations of learning
- Explore how a STEM school designed a showcase where students shifted from delivering presentations to presentations of learning
- Determine the teachers' role during presentations of learning
- [Learn how to help students transition from delivering presentations to presentations of learning
Resources mentioned in the episode:
- Visit https://www.impactfulpbl.com/podcast/episode30 for the blog post that accompany this episode.
- Check out the following resources mentioned in this episode:
- Episode 19: How to brainstorm ways for students to showcase their knowledge virtually during PBL
-
Episode 26: How to plan a project showcase with less overwhelm
-
Share your thought about this episode with me via DM onLinkedIn.
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Let’s explore how teachers can improve their project-based learning experience by creating a reflection process. Many of the teachers inside the Impactful PBL Network are wrapping up their project-based learning unit. I'm so thrilled to hear about what students and teachers are learning during their PBL experience. Educators often discuss the importance of providing space for students to reflect, but self-reflection is essential for them as well. In this episode, we will examine a protocol that teachers can use to reflect on their project-based learning experience.
Tune in to...
- Learn the definition of reflective thought and how it impacts learning
- Discover how I created a reflection process as a math teacher and now as a professional development facilitator
- Examine how teachers can use the framework for high-quality PBL to reflect on their project-based learning unit
- Explore how teachers can reflect on their thoughts, emotions, decisions, and behaviors to improve a project-based learning unit using eight guiding questions
Resources mentioned in the episode:1.Visit https://www.impactfulpbl.com/podcast/episode29 for the blog post that accompany this episode.
-
Check out the following resource mentioned in this episode: Framework for high-quality project-based learning https://hqpbl.org/
-
Share your thought about this episode with me via DM on LinkedIn.
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Let's explore how teachers can end the school year strong with project-based learning. Recently, I conducted a check-in with a few members of the Impactful PBL Network, our year-long professional learning program for current and aspiring project-based educators. Many of the teachers' goals involved executing a project-based learning unit this semester, but due to the constant changes with their schools' schedule and logistics, they are experiencing challenges with implementing their plans. Teachers have shared how they are excited about the PBL unit but wonder if it's still feasible to launch it given their current situation. This episode will explore how teachers can modify their project-based learning plan to fit their teaching environment.
Tune in to hear:
- How to decide whether to cancel a PBL unit or move forward with facilitation
- Why teachers must reimagine a PBL unit if they decide to move forward with facilitation
- How to modify each phase of the Impactful PBL Roadmap to align with your timeframe and current learning environment
- Ways teachers can share their PBL ideas with Candice for quick feedback
Resources mentioned in the episode:
-
Downloadthe Impactful PBL Roadmap™ planning guide to craft your first or next project-based learning unit.
-
Share your modified PBL idea with me via DM on LinkedIn .
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Let's explore how to use feedback to improve students' work during project-based learning by giving quality feedback. Feedback is an essential component of the formative assessment process. The challenge is that sometimes students receive inadequate feedback during the project-based learning unit, preventing them from producing their highest level of work. There are some strategies that teachers can utilize to ensure that they are fostering a culture of feedback in their classroom. This episode will examine how teachers can enhance students’ public products using effective feedback strategies.
Tune in to hear how to:
- Identify the purpose of providing feedback and how it impacts someone's performance
- Discover the reasons why some teachers give students feedback that doesn't help them improve their skills
- Explore five strategies to ensure that teachers are providing quality feedback to students
- Examine the various ways to use written and oral feedback to enhance students' public products
Visit https://www.impactfulpbl.com/podcast/episode27 for the blog post that accompany this episode.
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Let's discuss how to plan a showcase to help students share their knowledge with an authentic audience. During phase 7 of the Impactful PBL Roadmap, we explore how to finalize students’ showcase agenda to determine how students will share what they learned during the PBL unit with an authentic audience. At this stage, you may be excited for students to share their public products but may feel a little overwhelmed as you begin to think about the actions needed to execute the showcase. This episode will examine how to plan a project showcase with less overwhelm using two planning templates.
Tune in to hear:
- The benefits of allowing students to share their knowledge publicly
- The types of public products that students can create to share the solution to their challenge or problem
- How to create a timeline using a spreadsheet to track and manage the tasks for the event
- How to use a run of show document to map out what will happen before the event, during the event, and after the event, whether you are hosting an in-person or virtual showcase
- Why it's important to have a communication method for all adults involved with the showcase execution
Visit https://www.impactfulpbl.com/podcast/episode26 for the blog post that accompany this episode.
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Given the multi-faceted layers of project-based learning, tracking students’ progress is essential. In episode 15, we explored how to track students' progress and examine ways to set up a project management system to help students stay organized. As an educator, you know how difficult it can be for students to manage documents, resources, and materials. Furthermore, depending on the grade level and subject area, it's possible to find yourself managing five projects or twenty-five projects, which can be overwhelming. Let's explore how you can use a free tool, Google Workspace for Education (formerly GSuites for Education), to manage students' documents, communication methods, and collaboration structures.
Tune in to hear how to:
- Use Google Classroom to create, assess and share project assignments with students
- Discover five ways to use Google forms during your PBL unit
- Utilize Gmail and Google Meet to communicate with guest speakers
- Incorporate Google chat to plan interdisciplinary project-based learning units with colleagues
- Streamline and organize student work using Google documents, slides, spreadsheets or Jamboard
- Use Google calendar to track project milestones, and Google keep to create an organized checklist for students
- Employ Google sites to communicate project expectations and updates with parents, guardians, and other caring adults supporting students
- Explore three additional Google resources that you may have overlooked as an instructional tool for your PBL unit
Visit https://www.impactfulpbl.com/podcast/episode25 for the blog post that accompany this episode.
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Let's discuss how you have everything you need to get started with project-based learning. I've spoken to many teachers who have read books, listen to podcasts, and even attended workshops about project-based learning because they are interested in becoming project-based educators. However, many teachers are stuck at the exploration stage and are experiencing difficulty transitioning to the implementation phase of PBL. I understand that the idea of trying anything new right now may feel overwhelming. Still, with proper planning and adequate support, it's possible to facilitate a high-performance PBL unit during an in-person, remote, or hybrid learning environment. In this episode, we will discuss five thoughts or challenges that may be holding you back from launching your first or next PBL unit and explore ways to overcome them.
Tune in to hear:
- How my experience with starting a podcast made me reflect on why it's important to take action on your goals even if you don't feel completely ready
- How one teacher gained the courage to take control of her professional development
- The five thoughts holding most teachers back from launching PBL in their classroom
- Why it's essential to implement what you learn from professional development sessions immediately
Resources:Downloadthe Impactful PBL Roadmap™ planning guide to craft your first or next project-based learning unit.
Support the showThank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Let's discuss the teachers' role during project-based learning experiences. Last month, I led an introduction to PBL workshop, and a teacher asked the following questions: What is the teachers' role during project-based learning? Is it possible to offer too much voice and choice? How much should students contribute to the project? How much should teachers contribute to the project? I know the responses to the questions shared is debatable because depending on who you listen to or what you read, the answer will vary. Some education researchers believe that students should design all aspects of the project. Whereas, some education researchers believe that teachers should take the leading role during PBL. In this episode, we will explore the teachers' role during project-based learning.
Tune in to hear:
- Where the idea of project-based learning originated and how the concept evolved over time
- The common misconceptions about the teachers' role during PBL
- Why the role of the teacher during project-based learning can be confusing
- What it means to be the facilitator, guide, or coach during project-based learning experiences
- What to do when a student asks a question, and you don't know the answer
- How the teachers' mindset about project-based learning impact student outcomes
- The teachers' role in designing project-based learning experiences
Visit https://www.impactfulpbl.com/podcast/episode23 for the blog post that accompany this episode.
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Let's discuss the importance of social-emotional learning. While social-emotional learning is a vital part of development for everyone, I think we need to emphasize fostering social-emotional learning skills now more than ever. Our students are experiencing new learning environments, hearing and witnessing social injustices, political controversies, etc. Plus, many students are experiencing social isolation or a reduction in other support systems that they typically have access to at school. I've heard from several teachers that they have received very little training and are unsure if they're providing adequate support to students. In this episode, we will explore how to foster social-emotional skills through project-based learning experiences.
Tune in to hear:
- Why some teachers may find it necessary to focus on their social-emotional needs
- Benefits of social-emotional learning
- The five competencies of social-emotional learning
- Why every teacher should take the SEL through distance learning teacher self-reflection survey by CASEL and how to use it to improve their instruction
- How to utilize social and instructional teaching practices to promote social-emotional learning in your classroom
- Ways to foster social-emotional skills during project-based learning
- What skills or resources do teachers need to be able to promote social-emotional learning in their classroom environment
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Downloadthe Impactful PBL Roadmap™ planning guide to craft your first or next project-based learning unit.
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Hey, impact makers. This week, we are discussing the one component of project-based learning that most teachers either dread or don't want to spend the time doing, but it's vital. As an academic and instructional coach, I spent extensive time planning my daily work experiences. A solid work plan reduced overwhelm and kept my focus on the intended outcomes. During this episode, we will explore why planning is a necessary component of project-based learning and hear how to utilize the Impactful PBL Roadmap to plan a PBL unit.
Tune in now to hear:
- Why effective planning is a necessary component of project-based learning and what happens when you fail to plan properly
- The components of the Impactful PBL Roadmap framework
- An audio walkthrough of how to utilize the Impactful PBL Roadmap framework to create a high-performance project-based learning experience for your students
- Your next steps to start planning a quality PBL unit
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Learn how to shift from doing projects to designing impactful project-based learning experiences for students. Downloadthe Impactful PBL Roadmap™ planning guide to craft your first or next project-based learning unit.
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Hey, impact makers. Many of you are becoming acclimated to the new normal of school. You have your schedule, routine, and logistics mastered. Or at least, you feel more comfortable with your new teaching life. Many of you are ready to put theory into practice and plan your first project-based unit, but you are stuck attempting to find an engaging project topic or theme. In this episode, we will explore how to discover a project topic that your students will enjoy and how to create a scenario that your students will find interesting.
Tune in now to hear:
- How many teachers are ready to write a project-based learning unit but struggle with brainstorming an engaging topic
- What it means to write a scenario for a project-based learning unit and why it's important
- 12 ways to discover a project topic and real-life examples from project-based educators
- How to utilize your learning objectives, driving question, and project topic to create an interesting scenario
Visit https://www.impactfulpbl.com/podcast/episode20 for the blog post that accompany this episode.
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Hey impact makers. Students' ability to showcase their knowledge publicly is a valuable component of project-based learning. While most teachers agree that every project-based learning unit should culminate in a showcase, many find it challenging to brainstorm ideas for what that may look like in a hybrid, blended, or virtual learning environment. We will explore how students can still participate in a showcase regardless of their learning mode during this episode.
Tune in now to hear:
- Why students need to share their knowledge publicly
- How to ensure that you have a suitable driving question
- Examples of virtual showcases
- How to brainstorm ideas for a virtual showcase
Visit https://www.impactfulpbl.com/podcast/episode19 for the blog post that accompany this episode.
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Hey impact makers. In episode 11, I shared why I believe that project-based learning is great for distance learning. And since that episode, I've coached more teachers who are implementing project-based learning in a blended learning environment. Yes, teachers are experiencing a different set of challenges with implementing project-based learning in a blended or distance learning environment. So the question becomes, Is it worth trying to implement PBL virtually? During this episode, we will explore why PBL is still valuable regardless of the learning setting.
Tune in to hear:
- The challenges teachers are facing with implementing project-based learning in a remote or hybrid environment
- Why it's still worth implementing project-based learning in a distance or remote learning environment
- How teachers can use PBL to build the 21st-century skills necessary for college and/or career readiness
- How PBL can improve student motivation and attitude toward learning in remote or hybrid settings
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Learn how to shift from doing projects to designing impactful project-based learning experiences for students. Downloadthe Impactful PBL Roadmap™ planning guide to craft your first or next project-based learning unit.
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Hey impact makers, recently, I wrapped up a set of virtual professional development. It was an incredible experience because the teachers that I worked with were engaging and inspiring. I've led virtual training in the past, but never an extensive amount of virtual training where we worked together over a series of weeks. At the end of the training series, a teacher mentioned the desire to have ongoing access to a community of project-based teachers. I've engaged in several fellowships or cohort style professional learning communities, so I understand the impact of having access to a network. During this episode, we will discuss four reasons teachers should join a professional learning network and explore the benefits of joining the Impactful PBL Network.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Learn how to shift from doing projects to designing impactful project-based learning experiences for students. Downloadthe Impactful PBL Roadmap™ planning guide to craft your first or next project-based learning unit.
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Hey impact makers. Can you believe that we are halfway through the quarter? I previously shared that I've had several conversations about whether project-based learning could occur in a virtual learning format. Recently, a teacher shared that she was in a professional development session or class, and the facilitator stated that PBL wasn't for every teacher or every student. Since I'm a PBL advocate, the teacher wanted my perspective on the topic. During this episode, we will explore the question: Should some teachers avoid trying PBL in their classrooms? Do you have what it takes to implement PBL?
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Downloadthe Impactful PBL Roadmap™ planning guide to craft your first or next project-based learning unit.
Support the showThank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Hey impact makers. Last week, we explored some ideas to assess students during project-based learning, which, if done correctly, will help teachers monitor student's academic progress. I recently received questions from teachers who are implementing project-based learning in a blended learning environment requesting ideas for completing phase six of the Impactful PBL Roadmap, which is to track students' progress. As an educator, you know how important it is to monitor students' progress toward goals. During this episode, we will explore ways to track students' progress during project-based learning whether during face to face, blended, or remote learning.
Tune in to hear:
- Why it's important to track students' progress during a project-based learning unit
- How to create initial, intermediate, and final milestones to track students' progress
- How to determine the number of milestones a project-based learning unit should include
- Ways you can utilize various digital and print tools to track students' progress
Visit https://www.impactfulpbl.com/podcast/episode15 for the blog post that accompany this episode.
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Hey impact makers. During episode 11, I shared why I believe project-based learning is great for blended & remote learning environments. Thus far, that episode is my most popular episode, so naturally, I received followed up questions and comments. I honestly believe that crafting high-performance project-based learning is achievable through in-person, remote, or blended learning environments. However, we must consider some changes or accommodations necessary to make the learning experience valuable. I don't want you to make the mistake of managing PBL in a remote or blended learning environment precisely as you would during face-to-face instruction. During this episode, we will explore six ideas to consider when facilitating project-based learning experiences in a remote or blended learning format.
Tune in to hear:
- Why you should consider modifying your in-person project-based learning unit plan to teach students in remote or hybrid environments
- How I switched an in-person math summit for girls to a virtual program and the changes I made to support a different learning format
- The shifts or accommodations you should consider to implement PBL in a remote or hybrid environment successfully
- Why building relationships and a positive classroom culture is an essential component of PBL, especially in a remote or hybrid learning environment
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Downloadthe Impactful PBL Roadmap™ planning guide to craft your first or next project-based learning unit.
Support the show:
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Hey impact makers. Recently, I met with a group of teachers to refine an upcoming project-based learning unit plan. We began discussing ways to assess students during the learning experience. One teacher expressed concerns about assigning grades or implementing assessments. The teacher wanted students to enjoy the process, and she didn't want them to earn low grades and become unmotivated or disinterested in projects. That is a valid concern. I responded, "How can we design an assessment process that set students up for success?" During this episode, I'm sharing six ways to assess students during project-based learning experiences.
Visit https://www.impactfulpbl.com/podcast/episode13 for the blog post that accompany this episode.
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Like many places right now, where I live, students are learning remotely through a mix between asynchronous and synchronous methods. I've been working with teachers on implementing project-based learning in a virtual environment. Therefore, I've been encouraging teachers to design instruction while considering what students might be experiencing during remote learning. I began to reflect on my personal experience as a student learning remotely and facilitating professional development sessions virtually. In this episode, I share what I've learned as a remote learning student, how it may relate to students' experience, and how we can utilize this insight.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Downloadthe Impactful PBL Roadmap™ planning guide to craft your first or next project-based learning unit.
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
It's back to school time. Let's start with admitting that school will look different this year for most teachers and students. I've heard about a variety of learning options that schools are considering for the 2020-2021 school year. Now many educators may be wondering...Can we still implement project-based learning in a remote learning environment? I think now is a good time to implement project-based learning. This month, we will explore strategies and brainstorm some ideas examining how to make this happen. In this episode, let's discuss why teachers should consider implementing project-based learning during blended or remote learning.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Learn how to shift from doing projects to designing impactful project-based learning experiences for students. Downloadthe Impactful PBL Roadmap™ planning guide to craft your first or next project-based learning unit.
Support the show:
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
We are wrapping up our monthly professional development series. This week I want to share some common mistakes that hinder teachers' effectiveness with implementing high-quality project-based learning experiences. Can you believe that approximately half of the teachers that attended my project-based learning workshops last year reported that they had engaged in PBL training before? Yet, they still found it challenging to create a PBL culture in their classroom. Let's explore some common mistakes I've seen teacher leaders make when attempting to transform their PBL instructional practices and what they should consider doing instead.
Visit https://www.impactfulpbl.com/podcast/episode10 for the blog post that accompany this episode.
Support the show:
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
We are continuing with our summer professional development series, and we are discussing how to own your professional growth as an educator. Last week, I shared ten virtual professional learning options that teachers can engage in to further their growth. This week, I'm sharing how I'm treating my doctoral capstone research like a project-based learning experience, and how you can start viewing your Masters or Doctoral classes or other professional development opportunities the same way.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Learn how to shift from doing projects to designing impactful project-based learning experiences for students. Downloadthe Impactful PBL Roadmap™ planning guide to craft your first or next project-based learning unit.
Support the show
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
I know that summer is technically your time off to relax and recharge, but it's also a great time to explore new ideas and instructional methods. When I was a math coach, I used the summers to explore new coaching techniques. I attended conferences to develop my skills and to meet new educators. Being around other educators who share similar interests and passions helped me stay inspired and motivated. The time you utilize to develop yourself beyond the mandatory school or district training will be beneficial. In this episode, we will explore how you can create a professional development plan for yourself. I'm sharing ten virtual professional learning options that teachers can engage in to further their growth.
Visit https://www.impactfulpbl.com/podcast/episode8 for the blog post that accompany this episode.
Support the show:
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
This month, we are starting our summer professional development planning series. As a professional development facilitator, you know I'm an advocate for ongoing professional development because I believe learning never ends. we will discuss how to take charge or own your professional growth. In this episode, we will consider how you might be wasting your time, the facilitators' time, and possibly your colleagues' time during project-based learning professional development sessions and what you should be doing instead.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Learn how to shift from doing projects to designing impactful project-based learning experiences for students. Downloadthe Impactful PBL Roadmap™ planning guide to craft your first or next project-based learning unit.
Take action:
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
I've seen teachers become excited about implementing their PBL and launch their first unit to discover that students struggle to engage in this form of learning. Specifically, teachers often share how students struggle with brainstorming ideas, sharing ideas, creating questions to research, taking the initiative to work on tasks, etc. There are a variety of reasons why students may experience difficulty engaging in project-based learning experiences. In this episode, we will explore ten ways to foster academic risk-taking so you can create a learning environment conducive to project-based learning.
In this episode, you will learn:
- Why students may initially struggle with project-based learning experiences
- Characteristics of an academic risk-taker
- How some classrooms mirror professional development sessions that teachers dislike
- The role of a teacher when fostering an academic risk-taking environment
- Ten ways teachers can begin promoting academic risk-taking in their classroom
Resources mentioned in the episode:Visit https://www.impactfulpbl.com/podcast/episode6 for the blog post that accompany this episode and download the Impactful PBL Roadmap planning guide to begin crafting your first or next project-based learning unit.
Action tasks:Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe on iTunes. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
When I lead in-person professional development, believe it or not, we spend a significant amount of time drafting the driving question for a project-based learning unit plan because it's the foundation of the project. In this episode, we will discuss the importance of drafting a quality driving question, explore example questions, and review how to write a driving question for PBL.
In this episode, you will learn:
- Definition of a driving question
- Characteristics of a quality driving question
- How to write a driving question
- Example driving questions
- How to structure a driving question
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Visit https://www.impactfulpbl.com/podcast/episode5 for the blog post that accompany this episode and download the Impactful PBL Roadmap planning guide to begin crafting your first or next project-based learning unit.
Action tasks:
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe on iTunes. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
If you've been working in education for more than a year, you have probably heard of numerous instructional strategies from education researchers claiming to be the answer to increasing student mastery. Regardless of your perspective, project-based learning can provide students the opportunity to practice and develop skills useful for the workforce. I believe that we're preparing students for jobs that may not yet exist. You're probably thinking, if these jobs don't exist yet, then how do we prepare students for the workforce? When implemented well, project-based learning can positively impact students' academic and personal growth. In this episode, we will explore ten benefits of project-based learning.
In this episode, you will learn:
- Why most new instructional methods derive from previous research-based strategies
- How PBL is not really a new instructional method
- How PBL can help prepare students for opportunities that don’t yet exist
- How PBL can help students develop 21st-century skills
- How students’ develop project management skills during PBL
- How PBL fosters academic risk-taking
- How PBL can help students develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills
- How PBL can increase student mastery of content
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Visit www.impactfulpbl.com/podcast/episode4 for the blog post that accompany this episode and download the Impactful PBL Roadmap planning guide to begin crafting your first or next project-based learning unit.
Action task:
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe on iTunes. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Discussing the difference between project-based assessments versus project-based learning is a popular topic among educators. Therefore, I have this conversation with educators often. I understand why this can be confusing because, for some time, 'doing projects' or project-based assessments, project-based learning, and problem-based learning were used interchangeably. In this episode, we will discuss the difference between project-based assessments and project-based learning.
In this episode, you will learn:
- The reason why teachers are confused about the difference between project-based assessments or 'doing projects' and project-based learning
- How I started implementing projects in my class over a decade ago and why it wasn’t really project-based learning
- What project-based assessments or ‘doing projects’ look like in a classroom
- The main characteristics of project-based assessments versus project-based learning
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Visit https://www.impactfulpbl.com/podcast/episode3 for the blog post that accompany this episode and download the Impactful PBL Roadmap planning guide to begin crafting your first or next project-based learning unit.
Action tasks:
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe on iTunes. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
In this episode, we will explore how to plan a high-quality project-based learning experience for students. You will find several planning methods because, as you know, educators plan differently based on what works for them. After training hundreds of teachers on planning and implementing project-based learning experiences, I've found success with the method I'm sharing. I call my planning method, the Impactful PBL Roadmap. I provide an overview of each step in this episode.
In this episode, you will learn:
- How I designed the Impactful PBL Roadmap and how it supports educators in planning high-quality PBL experiences
- Identifying learning goals and writing students the driving question
- Planning the assessment and getting students’ excited about the project
- Creating daily lesson plans and tracking student progress
- Finalizing how to share students’ public products and building a collaborative culture
- Leading students through the reflection process
Resources shared in the episode:Learn how to shift from doing projects to designing impactful project-based learning experiences for students. Download the roadmap planning guide and access additional resources to plan your first or next PBL unit: www.impactfulpbl.com/podcast
Action steps:
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe on iTunes. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Introducing the Impactful PBL Podcast, a show for educators who want to explore how to plan a high-quality project-based learning experience for students. In this opening episode, Candice shares why she started this show, its’ purpose, and how she hopes it will help educators craft meaningful learning experiences for students.
In this episode, you will learn:
- 1:05 Who is Candice, the host, and why she started the Impactful PBL Podcast?
- 2:30 What can you expect from this podcast?
- 3:00 Is this podcast is for you?
- 5:00 How will this podcast support educators who are beginning their project-based learning journey?
Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review and subscribe on iTunes. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.
Contribute to the podcast content by sending questions related to project-based learning to info@impactfulpbl.com
Your question may become an upcoming episode.