PBL is the Way to Go!

PBL ... it stands for project-based learning. My first session was entitled "Meeting the Common Core: Rigorous, Relevant Project-Based Learning." It was a great way to start ISTE 2011! Not only were the Common Core Standards addressed, but a method that could indelibly increase student engagement.

Little did I know that project-based learning was something I truly believed in without knowing the terminology for it. Project-based learning is when "Students go through an extended process of inquiry in response to a complex question, problem, or challenge. Rigorous projects help students learn key academic content and practice 21st Century Skills (such as collaboration, communication, and critical thinking" (www.bie.org).

Believe it or not, project-based learning covers content we sometimes use when teaching to the test. The downside of integrating PBL, with the Common Core Standards, is that it takes 3-5 years to fully get comfortable with this mode of teaching. The challenge, ... try 1 project-based learning experience with your students for the upcoming school year, and get your feet wet.

For more information, click on and explore the Buck Institute of Education for a more in-depth look at PBL.

Brain Rules

Last night's keynote featured Dr. John Medina and his book called "Brain Rules." A micro-molecular biologist, Dr. Medina was quite fascinating and engaging with his theory on how the brain functions in relation to education. Some findings ...

One of the 5 natural functions of the brain is survival and, surprisingly, not learning.

Another natural function is constant motion; which means more gym and less in-class learning. Dr. Medina proposes schools get gym uniforms and intersperse learning in between-active-aerobic sessions (if it were up to him). Schools today have it reversed.

Aerobic exercise has been proven to increase text scores by leaps and bounds ... he says 102%.

For education to work, students must have created a database of learning (i.e. this is the memorizing portion, like knowing your multiplication facts).

Once the foundational database has been acquired, students can create future learning. So, if multiplication facts are not learned, students cannot learn algebra.

If you're interested for more information, check out his book, "Brain Rules." What are your thoughts?

I'm Here!

ISTE 2011 is finally here, and it's yet another opportunity to learn more, and share with colleagues and friends, resources and links to use in the upcoming 2011-2012 school year. If you're not familiar with ISTE, it stands for the International Society of Technology in Education. This is an annual conference where educators from all over the country, and even the world, come to 'steal' more technology ideas for their classrooms. It's filled with energy, excitement, and a lot of walking :0)

My goal these next few days is to list the workshops attended, as well as provide links given that will prove beneficial for the classroom.

If anyone has any questions regarding the conference, technology, or anything in those areas, please feel free to post a comment below.

A special thank you to Mr. Perez, Julie, Ariana, and Marego for making this experience reality.