In the February 2008 edition of the online and print magazine called “Educational Leadership,” Jane L. David, a Palo Alto based educational researcher, discussed the pros and cons of Project-Based Learning.
David’s article was referenced in the blog by Suzie Boss and Jane Krauss (http://reinventingpbl.blogspot.com), co-authors of a recently published book “Re-inventing Project-Based Learning.” The title of Suzie Boss’ blog entry is “Projects for the Privileged? Let’s Hope Not!” Suzie Boss disagrees with Jane David because she believes that project-based learning is possible with low-performing students in high-poverty schools.
As an example of a successful project-based learning school, Suzie Boss mentions the San Fernando Education Technology Team, also known as SFETT. This non-profit organization was founded by a former teacher at San Fernando High School in Southern California. Although the Marco Torres’ website is inspiring, just referring to one example of a successful program in a high-poverty area make his accomplishment seem like an exception. In my next blog, I would like to find other low-income schools who have brought computer technology and project-based learning to their students.
Tags: high-poverty schools, low-performing students, project-based learning, technology
April 16, 2008 at 6:19 pm
We just finished a large-scale integrated Dinner Theatre project with grade 10s in an inner-city high school in Canada. We have a high aboriginal population, and plenty of poverty, truancy and transiency. We found the 85 students involved in writing the show, publicizing it, and making the food really engaged in the project. For many of them, it was a place where they belonged – where they did something tangible and meaningful. They were so proud the night of the show. Read more about it here: http://wordpress.com/tag/project-based-learning/