It’s that time of year again! Time to gather resources and sign-up for professional developments. I’m a huge PD nerd! It’s my summer addiction. As an active learner, I collect resources all year long that I eagerly await the summer to dive into. Here are a few resources on my list for this 2021 summer.
1. Project Based Learning by Ross Cooper and Erin Murphy
Last year’s list featured “Hacking Project Based Learning”, which is also penned by this duo. I loved that book and am really looking forward to diving into this latest work. I am particularly excited to read their recommendations for how to help students who aren’t getting along during group work. While I can’t speak to whether or not this book is best for current or new-to-PBL facilitators, I am truly excited to dive into another text by these two experienced and wise facilitators.
2. Implementing Project Based Learning in Early Childhood by Sara Lev, Amanda Clark, and Erin Starkey
Personally, I find it rare to find resources that are specific to elementary PBL. Early childhood PBL resources are even more of a rarity. This book is one that has been on my list for a while. As I embark on my homeschooling journey with my little one, I am so excited to read a few new strategies and tips for PBL with young children. The authors work together to provide more resources to early childhood facilitators. Check out a few of their tools below.
- The Early Childhood PBL Website has sample units, workshop sign-ups, a blog, and much more.
- The Early Childhood PBL Facebook group is FREE and offers participants videos and postings with resources. It is a great community for early childhood PBL facilitators.
3. Choose Your Own PD Journey
I wrote this in last year’s PD post as well, but I am a firm believer in finding resources that work for you. So, I am reiterating it in this year’s list too. Try looking up topics you want to learn about by using these key phrases…
- “ ______ webinar 2021”
- “ ______ online workshop 2021”
- “ ______ digital professional development 2021”
- “ ______ online training 2021”
4.The Art of Community: Seven Principles of Belonging by Charles H. Vogl
From the reviews that I read, this book has been around for a while. I am really looking forward to some insight into building communities. Community building is a huge component of whether or not students are successful in a PBL environment. While not written by a facilitator or someone in the education field, I am hopeful that the principles in this text can be applied to classrooms and homeschool rooms.
If you have read this text, I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
5. PBL Workshops
As PBL becomes more common in schools, there are more and more workshops available. When I look at a workshop, I like to make sure it hits a few important requirements before I sign-up. Here a few of the stipulations I make as I look for quality workshops.
- Are people in my specialty participating in the creation of this workshop? In other words, as an elementary facilitator are there going to be elementary facilitators who help manage this workshop. An AP high school English teacher and a Kindergarten teacher can collaborate well and even gain a great deal from each other, but it is often important to have someone to mentor you that understands your “world” so to speak. As a coach or administrator, this is something to consider when hoping for facilitator buy-in. Relevancy of the training provided is just as important as relevancy within a PBL unit itself.
- What do other facilitators, who have been through this workshop have to say? Not people who facilitate it or who work for the company or group, but real live participants.
- What is the price? This one is kind of a given. But a lot of times workshops can be covered by grants, district funds, or donation websites like DonorsChoose. So, before you let a price tag deter you consider seeking funding outside of your own wallet first.
Potential Workshops for Facilitators
6. John Spencer’s Blended Learning Courses
I really love John Spencer’s videos and resources. He is articulate and knowledgeable. His website has a list of courses and resources he offers. There are several free. Here are a few of the courses that I am interested in this summer. Check out the full list here.
7. Podcasts
I’ve gotten really into podcasts this year. Last year’s post had a few podcasts listed, but this year I have several. So, I thought I would just list them here instead of individually. As a busy mama, podcasts are always a plus for me because I can listen while doing other things. Here are some of the podcasts on my list this summer.
- Edtech Podcast
- The PBL Playbook Podcast
- Impactful PBL Podcast (I found this facilitator on Instagram and I am really excited to listen to some of her thoughts.)
8. Developing Natural Curiosity Through Project-Based Learning by Dayna Laur and Jill Ackers
This is a very new addition to my list. I posted in a Facebook group asking for additional resources and the author of this text posted. I read the information on Amazon and am very intrigued to read it. Like I said earlier, primary PBL resources are a rarity. My personal pedagogy leans heavily towards the development of a strong sense of wonder and curiosity in young children. This title really piques my interest.
Have you read this text? What do you think? Share your thoughts with me in the comments.
9. Homeschooling Specific PBL Resources
As a public school teacher turned homeschool mama, there are several resources on my professional development list that relate to homeschooling and PBL. Here is a list of a few of the resources that I intend to tackle specific to homeschooling and Project Based Learning.
- The Call of The Wild and Free by Ainsley Arment
This book looks like a great read to help with maintaining a child’s natural sense of wonder in a homeschool environment. Curiosity and wonder are important foundations for a strong PBL culture.
- Project Based Homeschooling by Lori Pickert
I know nothing about this book, but it is literally the only homeschooling and PBL text I could find on Amazon. So, I plan on giving it a read.
Do you know of any PBL and homeschooling texts? Drop the link or comment with the title below.
10. 50 Strategies to Boost Cognitive Engagement by Rebecca Stobaugh
This text is not PBL specific but looks like a wonderful support text for building PBL culture. I love that this text looks like it will dive into creating a “Thinking Culture.” I also love anything that offers specific strategies and is not just based on theory. Don’t get me wrong, I love some good quality pedagogical reading, but having specific strategies to walk away with are always helpful.