PBLL Web-shops
It may have been THE most fulfilling professional development I have ever participated in. The language teachers of Flex Tech Schools in Michigan invited me to set up a webinar for a deep dive into Project-Based Language Learning, and not only did we get to address real, daily problems, but I feel like the process helped me refine my strategies and my instructional reasoning. We dug into topics like:
- The PBL process and the modes of communication (shout out to SECottrell and our #ACTFL19 session on PBLL + TCI!)
- Notes & vocabulary
- Unit plans & daily agendas
- AAPPL & single-point rubrics
- Group contracts
- P.A.C.E grammar
- Cover song brain breaks
- Scaffolding target language discussion
- Target language research
- Web tools for interpretation & presentation
And I didn’t even have to wear pants! (I wore comfy dresses…what were YOU thinking?) And all while my kids did a chore, practiced their instruments, and played Minecraft downstairs!
Aside from the in-home convenience and the plethora of topics we got to explore in our 10 hours together, here are a few other things I LOVED about finally setting up a PBLL workshop webinar:
- Visible shared brainstorming
- Troubleshooting web tools
- Immediate feedback for all participants
- Flexibility to insert topics or extend time
- Access to additional resources and examples
SO my original idea was to “take this show on the road,” so to speak, and to offer it to groups of 5-10 people who could come together and request a date and time slot before the school year starts (potentially after…we’ll see).
WELL. There were significantly more than 5-10 people who indicated via FB and Twitter that they might be into such a web-shop. And THEN we got to talking about how virtual learning fits in and how social justice fits in and…ya’ got me. I do not know.
Yet.
For now, I’m reading up and exploring social justice strategies (follow along with my stories on Instagram) for the classroom and in general. Plus I’m banking on having at least part of my classes online when we go back, so I’ll be tinkering with online modules and trying to rethink community involvement without field trips, too. You’d better believe there will be some blog posts this summer as it starts to come together, too! I’ll have to get back to you on PBL + Social Justice and PBL + virtual learning workshops, probably after I have had time to test things out this fall.
In the meantime, I have two offers:
- A one-hour session free on Facebook Live, Monday, July 20 to cover some basics, like target language products and the role of proficiency in PBL
- Online interactive workshops that you can schedule and tailor with groups of 5-10 participants
My schedule is pretty flexible for the month of July and the first week of August, and I would love to help you and your colleagues work through your goals and questions! Just gather up 5-10 friends and fill out the Google Form below to get started!
