Project-Based Learning: Success Start to Finish

Summary

At Manor New Technology High School in Texas, students engage in project-based learning where they apply knowledge to real-world scenarios. Teachers like Steven Zipkes and Mary foster collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity through interactive projects, such as analyzing moral dilemmas in 'The Hunger Games'. With a focus on multimedia presentations and constant feedback, students build valuable communication and teamwork skills. The school’s unique approach helps students take ownership of their learning while preparing them for both academic success and life beyond school.

Takeaways

• 😀 Students at Manor New Technology High School engage in 100% project-based learning, which emphasizes the application of knowledge to real-world situations.
• 😀 Teachers collaborate to design interdisciplinary projects, aligning state standards across subjects like history and English, as demonstrated by the 'Hunger Games' project.
• 😀 The school uses entry events to spark student interest, followed by a 'knows and need to knows' process, where students reflect on prior knowledge and identify what they still need to learn.
• 😀 The project process is flexible and adaptive, with teachers continuously assessing student progress and adjusting the pace and level of support as needed.
• 😀 Students at Manor New Tech complete around 60 to 65 projects per year, including over 200 public speeches by graduation, which helps them develop strong communication skills.
• 😀 The school promotes creativity by allowing students to work on unique projects, such as creating their own projects or designing a children's TV show in video production class.
• 😀 Teachers utilize peer feedback protocols like 'critical friends' to help students refine their presentations and receive constructive criticism from their classmates.
• 😀 Projects incorporate multimedia elements, enabling students to express their learning in diverse formats and engage their audience in dynamic ways.
• 😀 The use of moral dilemmas in projects encourages students to critically analyze complex ethical questions and articulate their reasoning through presentations and skits.
• 😀 The project-based approach empowers students to take charge of their own learning, fostering independence and long-term retention of knowledge, as evidenced by student reflections on how it prepares them for tests.

Q & A

What is Manor New Technology High School's teaching approach?

Manor New Technology High School uses a 100% project-based instruction model, where students not only acquire knowledge but also apply it to real-world situations, making the learning process more relevant.

How do teachers at Manor New Tech collaborate on curriculum design?

Teachers like Mary and Michael collaborate by reviewing both state and subject-specific standards. They then work together to align their lessons and integrate content, ensuring that they cover both the historical and ethical aspects of projects like the Hunger Games.

What is the 'entry event' in the project-based learning model at Manor New Tech?

The entry event is a method to hook students into a project. It is designed to spark curiosity and initiate critical thinking, helping students identify what they already know and what they need to learn, guiding them toward further exploration.

How does the 'knows and need to knows' process function in project-based learning?

In the 'knows and need to knows' process, students reflect on what they already know about a topic (the 'knows') and identify what they need to learn more about (the 'need to knows'). This helps them develop a deeper understanding as they progress through the project.

How does Manor New Tech assess student presentations?

Student presentations are assessed based on multiple criteria, including the organization of ideas, clarity of delivery, tone, and the use of rhetorical strategies. Feedback is provided through a peer review process called 'critical friends'.

What role do 'critical friends' play in the learning process at Manor New Tech?

Critical friends is a peer review protocol where students receive feedback from classmates on their presentations. This helps them refine their work and improve their understanding by considering others' perspectives.

What are some examples of student projects mentioned in the script?

Examples of student projects include creating a kids' show in a video production class, using chemistry to create soda, and exploring historical events like World War II and the moral dilemmas of characters in the Hunger Games.

How does project-based learning help students improve their public speaking skills?

At Manor New Tech, students average 60-65 public speeches a year, which helps them become confident speakers. By the time they graduate, they will have given over 200 speeches, making them highly skilled in oral communication.

How do students at Manor New Tech develop their critical thinking skills?

Students at Manor New Tech engage in complex, real-world projects that require them to analyze situations, make decisions, and reflect on their choices, such as the moral dilemmas presented in projects related to history or literature.

What is the significance of student choice in the projects at Manor New Tech?

The freedom to choose how they present their work—whether through multimedia, skits, or other formats—encourages creativity and ensures that students are more engaged and invested in their learning process.