PBL
Artefact 1
Artefact 2
Annotation
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The artefacts are a PowerPoint and video of the Cardboard Challenge, the School Plan and an example of a PBL Activity. The artefact was chosen to highlight an example of how this is being achieved as teachers create whole stage units of work that contain PBL based projects that engage our students in a way that requires them to be resourceful, imaginative and able to draw on the content covered the unit of work to successfully complete the task. What: Problem Based Learning (PBL) has been one of our 3 strategic directions at Chatswood Public School. Its aim is to produce classroom programs that explicitly teach students to be creative, productive lateral thinkers and users of technology. Why: Students have been given opportunities to be creative, innovative and resourceful. How: Students are being taught how to engage in real world problems and solve them. Students learn how to collaborate, work in teams and communicate ideas to make sense of their world. When: In Stage 3 and now Stage 2, teachers are creating units of work in History and Geography that incorporate a significant PBL based activity.
What: The school has also been at the forefront of developing PBL based activities across the North Harbour Learning Community through the Cardboard Challenge. Why: This annual project brings together students in years 4, 5 and 9 from schools across the North Harbour Learning Community. How: Students from younger grades work in a mentor relationship with their Year 9 partners to solve the problem of creating an arcade game from recyclable and repurposed materials. Students were encouraged to be resourceful and creative with their solutions with the mentors providing more expert advice on the practicality of their ideas in the real world making day.
The Significant Impact
As a result of our classroom programs students are learning learn to think deeply and logically, obtain and solve real world problems in a disciplined way. Students were challenged to solve the problem of how a real world government would be created. Students were given the opportunity to test their ideas and theories through real life application of their systems. For example, Fair Trading Systems were devised then tested amongst classes and across the grade to establish their effectiveness. Government structures devised by the students were implemented within their classroom and explored on a daily basis as to their effectiveness in maintaining a cohesive society.
Artefact 3
Analysis
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In our self-assessment process the leadership team analysed a range of evidence to support our judgement.
SEF Connections
Learning Element
Learning Culture - Excelling
Staff have worked collaboratively to plan and implement PBL based learning opportunities and achieve the goals of this strategic direction. This is achieved in a respectful and positive environment that underpins a productive learning environment that support students’ development as learners.
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Curriculum and Learning - Sustaining and Growing
The school has enhanced its learning alliances through the Cardboard Challenge with the North Harbour Learning Community.
Teaching Element
Collaborative Practice - Sustaining and Growing
Teachers have worked together to improve the learning opportunities as outlined in the Stage 3 artefact. A collaborative approach has enhanced learning opportunities and provided opportunities to apply the acquired knowledge through class, whole stage and across school learning activities.
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Please check the link below re: School Excellence Framework