Foreword by John Hattie
Introduction
Chapter 1. Focusing on Confidence and Competence in Learning
Confident and Competent Students at Work: Sir Francis Drake High
School
Confidence in Learning Attributes
Competence in Learning Levels: Surface, Deep, and Transfer
PBL as a Vehicle to Build Confidence and Competence in Learning
Chapter 2. Designing PBL for Student Confidence and Competence
Make PBL Effective
Advancing PBL by Design
Chapter 3. Design Shift I: Clarity—Understanding Expectations of
Learning Upfront
Clear Expectations Motivate Learning
Where Am I Going in My Learning?
Steps for Determining Clear Learning Intentions and Success
Criteria in Project Design
Chapter 4. Design Shift II: Challenge—Structuring and Sequencing
Learning Through Projects
Designing for Challenge and Intervention
Step 1 (Plan A): Align Student Activities and Teaching Actions
According to Surface, Deep, and Transfer Expectations
Step 2 (Plan B): Structure Inquiry to Identify Student Performance
and Provide Support That Aligns With the Learning Needs of
Students
Chapter 5. Design Shift III: Culture—Knowing and Acting on Impact
Collectively
Developing a Culture of Confidence
Chapter 6. Reflections on PBL Practice
Working Together for Impact
Retooling PBL to Serve as a Vehicle for Confidence and
Competence
Afterword by Suzie Boss
Appendices
Appendix A. Project Design Template
Appendix B. Sample Projects
Appendix C. PBL Design Shift and Key Elements Checklist
Appendix D. Recommended Texts for PBL Implementation
Glossary
References
Index
Michael McDowell, EdD was a public school educator for eighteen
years serving in the roles of classroom teacher, academic and
athletic coach, school principal, assistant superintendent of
personnel and instruction, and superintendent. During his
tenure as a superintendent, his school district received state and
national accolades including the National Blue Ribbon Award which
recognized their work for student performance and mental health and
well-being in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic by the U.S.
Department of Education.
Dr. McDowell serves on numerous boards, served as a college
professor, and worked for non-profit organizations to enhance
student learning around the world. Over the course of his
career, Dr. McDowell has authored bestselling books, created
professional learning programs and workbooks, provided keynotes and
workshops, and provided practical tools and resources for thousands
of teachers and leaders on almost every continent around the
world. A prolific author and consultant, Dr. McDowell is
recognized as one of the leading authorities on integrating
innovative and impactful practices into schools. Offering
keynotes and executive coaching to heads of school around the
world, he partners with educational leaders to implement high
leverage strategies that will enhance teaching and learning in
classrooms, schools, and systems.
"An excellent tool for any educator, administrator, or professional
development coach who wants to dive deep into designing an
effective and rigorous PBL. This book provides excellent details
for the reader and step by step instructions on designing as well
as implementing a PBL to enhance student cognition."
*Tara Howell, Vice Principal and Educational Leader*
"If we believe that ALL students will succeed in school today, it
will require all of us to let go some of the things that have been
most essential to what we know about teaching and learning (our
past practice and experience) and how we have let that define our
profession. The level of engagement and connection to the world
around them is the driver of learning for students today. PBL
represents one of our best strategies to connect those essentials
with the desired outcome of success for ALL. Our students need the
tangible connection of "learning to life experience" as they have
an increased access to the rote knowledge that drove education a
generation ago. It is critical that educators further enhance the
opportunities and experiences of students by enhancing their
professional toolbox. PBL is an essential tool for all
educators."
*Tom Hierck, Consultant/Author*
"This book has the potential to truly improve PBLs impact on
student learning."
*Tara Taupier, Assistant Superintendent of Educational
Services*
"I’ve always advocated and often practiced problem-based learning
in classrooms, but recently I’ve come up short with seeing the
benefits of PBL that I expected. Rigorous PBL provided new
direction and justification for why I need to change my practice. I
can’t wait for school to start!"
*Ernie Rambo, Teacher, 7th Grade U.S History*
"This book is very thorough in explaining the differences between
PBL done more as a project and done with student self-monitoring
and transfer of knowledge. The teacher’s role at each
student’s level (surface, deep and transfer) is explained
clearly."
*Dana B. Leonard, SPED high school teacher*
"There are more than enough matrices and examples throughout the
book to demonstrate the authors points. I particularly appreciate
the extended examples provided via hyperlink. The book offers
varied examples of grade levels and content to help teachers create
a PBL project based on the author’s recommendations."
*LaQuita Outlaw, Middle School Principal*
"A highly practical and informative guide to project/problem based
learning."
*Jo Boaler, Professor and Co-Founder of YouCubed*
"PBL, done well, helps students to develop the skills needed to be
successful in a rapidly changing world. This book offers both
a thought provoking and practical guide for educators looking to
transform their classrooms through PBL. McDowell provides
critical insights into common PBL pitfalls and identifies key
design shifts that can deeply impact student learning. Novice
and experienced PBL teachers alike will find this book helpful in
improving their practice and delivering on the promise of PBL."
*Megan Pacheco, Chief Learning Officer*
"Far too many people assume that problem based learning simply
works. It doesn’t. It works when specific conditions
are right. It works when the experience is designed in a way
that build students’ confidence and competence. That is easier said
than done, which is why we are so pleased with this book. It guides
readers through specific design features that they can use to
ensure deep learning, and transfer of that learning, for students.
McDowell has solved the problem and is willing to share is
findings with others."
*Douglas Fisher & Nancy Frey*
"Hattie’s research showed that PBL has a low effect size. However,
Hattie’s intention behind exposing the effect size was not to have
teachers throw it out. Rather, he wanted teachers and leaders to
use evidence to look at how they do it, and improve on the process.
In Rigorous PBL By Design, Michael McDowell does exactly that.
McDowell provides a practical, step-by-step process using Hattie’s
research to help teachers improve PBL so it provides the effect on
student learning that it should."
*Peter DeWitt, Ed.D., Author/Consultant*
"PBL has finally reached the tipping point. As I meet with school
superintendents around the country, most of them have already
started or know they need to begin full-scale adoption of PBL in
their districts. What has been missing is a clear set of next steps
to improve PBL practice. Rigorous PBL by Design steps into
this void and provides much needed help by busting PBL myths and
designing PBL improvements around "clarity", "challenge" and
"culture". McDowell gives teachers and education leaders the
concrete guidance they need to assure their PBL practices will meet
the needs of their 21st century students."
*Ken Kay, CEO*
"We need a book that focuses directly on student learning rather
than a superficial process of teaching PBL. This book gives
teachers the practices and procedures to directly support students
in transferring their learning. For practitioners, this book
makes a whole lot of sense."
*Steve Zipkes, Founding Principal*
"This is a must-read for any teacher wanting to understand how to
thoughtfully plan, organize, and carry out in his or her own
classroom the kinds of Problem and Project Based Learning (PBL)
that will truly enable students to acquire and demonstrate
"surface, deep, and transfer of" content knowledge and skills at
the maximum possible levels. During my 24 years in the
classroom teaching elementary and secondary students, I regularly
engaged learners in what I thought were correctly timed,
well-designed PBL experiences that were both "hands-on/minds-on"
and authentic. If I’d had this book to reference then, how much
greater could those learning experiences have been for my
students—and for me! Michael McDowell’s thoroughly
researched, instructive, and in-depth volume has now become my
"gold standard" for understanding and applying PBL in today’s
classrooms. Rigorous PBL by Design is worthy of becoming a
graduate-level text, while being, first and foremost, a readable
and doable "how-to" guide for the interested teacher and
leader."
*Larry Ainsworth, Author & Consultant*
"Michael McDowells book provides powerful insights to ensure the
conditions essential for PBL are present for increased impact on
student learning. This magnificent book provides educators with
practical ways to design authentic and ′ever-lasting′
learning."
*Sarah Martin, Principal*
"Educators interested in Project- and Problem-Based Learning are
advised to read this book and heed its message. Michael McDowell
highlights a point that can easily be lost in the enthusiasm for
PBL; i.e., that the focus must always be on targeted learning
outcomes. In other words, the project or problem is a vehicle to
engage students in meaningful learning, and we must always keep
this end in mind."
*Jay McTighe, Author and Consultant*
"What a brilliant piece of literature that unravels and addresses
the challenges of an educational concept that has familiarity to
almost all educators! In his book, Dr. McDowell presents a do-able
means to making a positive change in learning by describing three
design shifts—clarity, challenge, and culture. In this age of
accountability when application of knowledge is required by
academic standards, teachers of all grade levels can and will
benefit from his approach to effectively implementing problem-based
learning. The words practical and inspirational sum it up, as this
guide will showcase PBL as a means to improving the instruction
provided to learners, as well as making school a more meaningful
place for both teachers and students."
*Jan K. Hoegh, Associate Vice President*
"This book is spot-on in being both practical and deeply
informative for educators working to implement strong and lasting
conditions that support PBL. And further, provides a road map that
can lead to significant improvement on student learning. It is a
great example of just-in-time coaching!"
*Jon Deasy, Founding Partner of Cambiar, CEO of New Day New Year,
Executive Coach*
"For the Marine Mammal Center, mobilizing the next generation of
marine scientists and conservationists is at the heart of our
mission. We believe that well-designed PBL experiences are
critical in preparing students to solve some of our planet’s most
serious challenges. Rigorous PBL By Design is an
outstanding resource to both formal and informal educators,
providing a practical framework for creating effective and
impactful PBL experiences. The Education team at The Marine
Mammal Center is committed to strengthening our PBL practices and
we look forward to adding this valuable resource to our
professional reference library."
*Rachel Bergren, MSc, Director, Education and Guest Experience*
|
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
