Supporting Student-Centered Classrooms with Project-Based Learning
Welcome to the Modern Classrooms Project Podcast. Each week we bring you discussions with educators on how they use blended, self-paced, and mastery-based learning to better serve their learners. In this episode, Toni Rose Deanon is joined by Jorge Valenzuela, a renowned performance and education coach with expertise in project-based learning (PBL).
The conversation explores various aspects of PBL, including its benefits, implementation strategies, and the importance of creating a student-centered learning environment. Valenzuela emphasizes that PBL should be student-centered and aligned with essential life skills. He stresses the importance of creating a safe and supportive learning environment where students feel valued and heard. He also shares practical tips for implementing PBL in the classroom, such as using a project template, seeking feedback from students, and monitoring engagement and achievement.
Here are three key takeaways from this podcast episode:
Student-centered PBL: Successful PBL projects must be designed with students' interests and passions in mind. Jorge quotes John Hattie, "Any new initiative in your school or district where engagement isn't factored in is doomed to fail."
The importance of empathy: Educators should design learning experiences with empathy, considering students' perspectives and backgrounds.
Continuous improvement: Effective PBL requires ongoing evaluation and reflection to ensure it meets students' needs and promotes a positive learning environment. Jorge reminds us, "The person receiving the information gets turned off if it's not done brief, succinct, and impactful."
Discussion questions for PLC and PD:
How can you implement student-centered PBL in your classroom while still addressing curriculum standards and assessments?
What strategies can you use to foster a safe and supportive learning environment where students feel valued and heard?
How can you monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of your PBL projects?
Our Host
Toni Rose taught MS English for 10 years and will forever identify as a teacher. Toni Rose strives to be the teacher that they never had growing up, so they focus on anti-bias, anti-racist work and wants to create a brave space for everyone around them. As a queer Filipinx, they understand just how important it is to be represented, be valued, and belong. They especially love being a thought partner for and celebrating teachers.
Our Guests
Jorge Valenzuela
Jorge Valenzuela is a highly sought-after and well-regarded performance and education coach, author, and speaker at Lifelong Learning Defined. He got his start in education and has helped countless educators improve their instructional leadership and teaching skills. Jorge specializes in emphasizing instructional innovation through action research and is a trusted deliverer of reputable professional training in collaborative team building, core instruction, project-based learning, STEM pathways, entrepreneurship, and life skills integration across the curriculum. He partners with corporate executives and superintendents and provides professional development on behalf of ASCD, Corwin, Premiere Speakers Bureau, and Solution Tree. He has authored several books and is the Lifelong Learning Defined podcast host.
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