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November 9, 2011

Dear High Aims PBL Course Participants,My name is Cathy Holmes and I am a Consultant with the Ohio Department of Education (ODE). I assist schools and districts with implementing the academic content standards. You have chosen, or your district has chosen for you, to be here because of your dedication to Problem-Based Learning (PBL) in the 21 st century.Teachers have a difficult time engaging students in constructivism in their classroom for multiple reasons including standardized testing and lack of time. Standardized testing can sometimes hinder a teachers’ ability to think beyond the standards and apply student learning to real world scenarios. Teachers feel that they have barely enough time to make copies for tomorrow’s lesson let alone re-design their curriculum.

Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is a concept first developed by McMaster University in the late 1960’s out of the need to improve problem-solving skills in medical school students. Two organizations have recently taken the lead on developing PBL for K-12 classrooms. The Illinois Math and Science Academy (IMSA) has been a pioneer in problem-based learning and the Buck Institute is at the forefront of the training and research and development of project-based Learning.

ODE is collecting examples of constructivist-based units of study to include in a model curriculum. You will be working collaboratively, with at least one other person of your choice, to design a standards-based PBL unit to be used as a model for teachers around our state. I’d like you to use the new model curriculum with possible links to the 2001 standards. You are encouraged to try your ideas with your students before the last meeting of this workshop. However, you will not be expected to produce a unit with a detailed list instructional activities. On February 1, 2012, your team will be simulating your PBL unit “kick-off” by introducing the problem to your colleagues, facilitating a “know and need-to-know” classroom session, and coaching them through the process of developing a problem statement. I am planning to be at your final meeting to listen to your ideas and provide feedback.

Cathy Holmes