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

"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.

Table of Contents:
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

About the Author :
Ann Lambros is Director of the Center of Excellence for Research, Teaching, and Learning at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. She is a consultant to K-12 schools and an expert at the creation and implementation of problem-based learning programs.

Review :
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! 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.