PROJECT-BASED LEARNING:Enhancing Student Engagement and

Embracing Digital Learning Styles

Mark SnyderMSA Consulting Group

OVERVIEW

CTE teachers are challenged to prepare students to become

effective knowledge workers in an ever-changing global

environment. This session describes how project-based

learning can…

1. Enhance student engagement, and

2. Embrace digital learning styles.

How do we prepare students for work?

This classroom prepared students for…

… this kind of career.

This classroom experience should…

… mimic real-work experiences.

How do we do that?

PROJECT-BASED LEARNING

Move lectures online…

… with technology tools …

… and use class time for projects.

Why projects?

Because project-based learning…

Puts the focus on the content instead of the teacher.

Gives you time to help students with different learning styles.

Makes students critically think about and apply the content.

Helps students make connections in their learning.

Measures learning objectives with real-world outcomes.

Students focus on the content…

Independent

• 1-3% of population• Annoyingly accurate• Will succeed w/out you• Tend to be disruptive• The “page 66” kids• Expected results = 100%• “Leave me alone!”

Dependent

• 70% of population• Immediacy, contact• Wander if unguided• Constant encouragement• Expected results = 40-75%• Tell me, show me, hold my

hand

Collaborative

• 30% of population• Most fun to teach• Work well w/out guidance• Work very well in groups• Make good peer tutors• Expected result = 75-100%• Tell me, show me, let me try

…while the teacher helps students learn.

Bloom’s Taxonomy RevisedA Taxonomy for Teaching, Learning, & Assessing

Students critically think about the content…

… which makes connections in learning.

Keep your objectives, but change the outcome.

ACTIVITY PROJECTStudents in a principles of business class study

management skills and…Complete a personal skills inventory assessment, interview a manager at a local business, and write a paper that describes what they think are the three most important management skills to succeed in the workplace.

Work with a local business partner to answer the question “How can we help managers develop new skills on the job?” After conducting surveys and research, students design a website that provides managers with links, resources, and tips for developing their skills in five key areas. To launch and promote the website, students make a formal presentation to three actual mangers at their employer partner’s workplace.

Where can you find projects?

WIIFM?

PROJECT-BASED LEARNING:Enhancing Student Engagement and

Embracing Digital Learning Styles

Mark SnyderMSA Consulting Group