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

by Marian Ann Lambros

Overview

"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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781483360461
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	02/19/2004
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	136
File size:	1 MB

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.

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

Editorial Reviews

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

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

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

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

From the Publisher