What are some innovative PBL projects that have led to success in education?

Crear mejores entornos de aprendizaje mediante el uso del aprendizaje basado en problemas en lugares de Latinoamérica representa una oportunidad para vincular la escuela con la comunidad. Si bien es cierto que existen necesidades básicas por suplir, también es real que la precariedad y la falta de presencia del Estado evidencian otras necesidades en las cuales la escuela podría tomar activamente un rol y convertirse en agente de cambio. En ejemplo, la falta de consolidación de procesos de lectura y escritura de los ni?os y ni?as. Allí el problema es que por la cantidad de estudiantes no se logra consolidar la adquisición correcta de las habilidades lectoescritas.

I have done this for several years by engaging my students in eCybermission. They are engaged in a long-term project from September to January, with a focus on solving a community problem. Examples of problems that students chose to work on included designing an alarm that would sound as water began to rise, researching native plants that can be planted in riparian zones to reduce soil erosion, and implementing this along the Razorback Greenway in a local park with a creek, developing a safety alarm that will sound if a child is left in a car seat, and reducing the amount of phosphates and nitrates that run off fields treated with chicken litter. All were highly engaged and developed skills in research, communication, and more!

En un ABP sería una oportunidad enorme de vincular el aprendizaje no formal de personas adultas que si tienen el código con maestros para suplir este problema y a cambio, la escuela puede dise?ar el alumbrado navide?o para atraer el turismo a la zona. Una perspectiva global de cambio arranca vinculando los dos contextos, la escuela y el entorno. No se debe asignar a la escuela la tarea de solución del entorno, es una acción conjunta.

I used to have my students complete something similar called an I-Search project. Students had to choose a subject relevant for them, conduct research on the topic, interview someone (an “expert”) about the topic, write an essay, and complete and share a presentation. Not only did students get to learn more on a subject about which they were passionate, but they also learned valuable skills in many vital areas: research - including what a reputable source should be, citation, interviewing, public speaking, self-directed learning, synthesizing data, time management, and more.

En el Colegio Personalizado Renfort creamos aprendizaje a partir de problemas que son en general fenómenos que pueden y deben explicar una realidad. Con esta metodología hemos logrado que más de 400 ni?os y ni?as puedan comprobar saberes, adquirir habilidades y potenciar sus talentos desde la creatividad, la innovación y la flexibilidad.

This is so important! Our students have developed social contracts that deal with culture and climate in the classroom. They are written in positive language and promote kindness, inclusion, respect, and active listening. Students are the enforcers of the contract, checking their classmates if they hear a rude or disrespectful comment. Teams of students evaluate how well we are maintaining our contract and make suggestions for any changes that might need to occur. It has made a huge difference in the classroom.