Project Based Learning

Boss and Krausss Article
Project Based learning "involves students investigating open ended questions and applying knowledge to produce authentic products." Boss and Krauss(2007).
This article explains how Project Based Learning has evolved and is relevant to living and learning in the 'digital world'. Kinory desribes his journey with changes and adaptations over the years to transform student learning through integration of new technologies. I see my own teaching and learning journey reflected in the article. I relate to the comments he makes in the article about modelling risk taking for students. The one thing I frequently do is take risks with my classes when using technology. I sometimes barely stay one step ahead and also fail at times. I think this is an important part of the process of learning and embracing change as long as we evaluate the outcomes. In my observation students are highly motivated and engaged when using technology for authentic tasks or projects.

Students are prepared to participate in a world and workforce which involve change and these important skills of being a participant who can collaborate critically and creatively are extremely important.

Considerations for Teaching:
Rethink expectations
Allow students more control in the teaching and learning
Consider physical arrangement of environment
Be ready to re evaluate
be ready to explain reasoning for PBL approach

I can see that PBL is relevant and would work, but in a k -6 library environment which provides RFF in Library time, it seems more difficult to achieve. It could only be achieved with planning, collaboration and cooperation from class teachers and perhaps IT teachers.