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Problem-Based Learning in Middle and High School Classrooms
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Problem-Based Learning in Middle and High School Classrooms
A Teacher's Guide to Implementation


February 2004 | 136 pages | Corwin

"A complete delight. . . Ann Lambros writes in a manner that is very easy for any teacher to follow and feel comfortable with even without any prior understanding of PBL . . . She makes PBL seem uncomplicated, easy, and enjoyable. Her understanding of the capabilities and interests of the students at various grades is impressive."
Howard S. Barrows, Professor Emeritus
Southern Illinois University, Springfield

"Fills a gap in existing PBL literature. It gives helpful tips to PBL novices and timely reminders for PBL practitioners with an ever-present awareness of the specific needs of secondary teachers. It will be on my list of recommended reading for IMSA's PBL workshop participants!"
Debra Gerdes, Problem-Based Learning Leader
Illinois Math and Science Academy

Encourage students to become active and creative partners in their own learning!

This teacher-friendly, jargon-free guide to Problem-Based Learning (PBL) offers teachers an exciting student-centered teaching method that engages learners at all levels in middle school and high school. PBL lessons encourage students to work together in groups to arrive at sound solutions, as well as to develop important self-directed learning skills that can be transferred to non-classroom situations. Author and PBL expert Ann Lambros further familiarizes educators with the PBL philosophy by outlining the many benefits obtained from PBL, including reading comprehension, social skill development, content retention, and student motivation.

This easy-to-use guide for teachers implementing PBL in the classroom includes:

  • Getting started with PBL in middle and high school classrooms
  • Developing problems for classroom use
  • Ready-to-use sample problems for different grade levels
  • Self and peer assessments for PBL

Problem-Based Learning in Middle and High School Classrooms offers a powerful technique for all levels of learning to equip students with the tools necessary to conquer the challenges they face today and in the future.


 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Author
 
1. Problem-Based Learning: What and Why
Knowing What

 
Collaboration and Differentiation

 
PBL Provides Relevance to Learners

 
PBL Teaches Lifelong Problem-Solving Skills

 
The PBL Process in Action

 
In a Nutshell

 
 
2. PBL in the Middle School Classroom
Getting Started

 
Delivering Problems to Students

 
Problem Examples

 
PBL Problem Sources

 
Further Considerations for Middle School Classrooms

 
 
3. PBL in the High School Classroom
In the Beginning

 
Introducing PBL Problems

 
Problem Examples

 
PBL Problem Sources

 
Further Considerations for High School Classrooms

 
 
4. And the Problem Is
Developing PBL Problems for Classroom Use

 
Aligning Developed Problems With Standards

 
Getting Started

 
Using Resources with PBL Problems

 
Hints and Cautions in PBL Problem Development

 
A Final Word

 
 
5. Knowing You Did It
Making the PBL Grade With Authentic Assessments

 
PBL and Assessment Examples

 
Going Beyond Content Assessment

 
Using Portfolios With PBL

 
More PBL Assessment Examples

 
Using Self and Peer Assessments With PBL

 
 
6. The Whole Picture
PBL and Cooperative Learning

 
PBL and Service Learning

 
PBL and Project Based Learning

 
PBL and Traditional Strategies

 
Using It All, Using It Well

 
 
7. PBL Beyond The Middle and High School Classrooms
The Future for Students

 
The Future for PBL

 
 
Resources
Resource 1: Additional PBL Problems for Middle School and High School

 
Resource 2: PBL Process Charts

 
Resource 3: Guidelines for Facilitating PBL

 
 
Index

Fills a gap in existing PBL literature. It gives helpful tips to PBL novices and timely reminders for PBL practitioners with an ever-present awareness of the specific needs of secondary teachers. It will be on my list of recommended reading for IMSA's PBL workshop participants!

Debra Gerdes, Problem-Based Learning Leader
Illinois Math and Science Academy

A complete delight. . . Ann Lambros writes in a manner that is very easy for any teacher to follow and feel comfortable with even without any prior understanding of PBL. . . She makes PBL seem uncomplicated, easy, and enjoyable. Her understanding of the capabilities and interests of the students at various grades is impressive.

Howard S. Barrows, Professor Emeritus
Southern Illinois University, Springfield
Key features
  • Dynamic instructional strategy that has been effective in science and medicine.
  • Author is a K-12 PBL consultant and a curriculum developer at a med school that emphasizes PBL
  • Author's first book "was a complete delight. It was well written and beautifully organized. [Ann Lambros writes] in a manner that is very easy for any teacher to follow and feel comfortable with without any prior understanding of PBL," per PBL originator Howard Barrows of McMaster University

Sample Materials & Chapters

Preface

Chapter 1: Problem-Based Learning


For instructors

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