On my recent post about the disappointing PBL-Explained video, I got a great comment today from Jill Gough, a fine independent school educator and blogger (Experiments in Learning By Doing); she argues that the PBL video explained, while not perfect, is a fine introductory PBL video. Jill writes
HTH is one of a very few examples shown to me as a classroom teacher…over and over and over again. My colleagues’ reaction: “If it is so easy, why aren’t there more examples? How many times are we going to watch that video of the Blood Project?”
Here, for your viewing pleasure and information, are more exemplary videos articulating the value of PBL in forms more substantial and sophisticated than the disappointing PBL explained video. In each case, there is a demonstration of excellence in the completed student products that testify to the serious academic rigor PBL can accomplish, a rigor about which, I believe, PBL skeptics are often skeptical. Three school networks are represented in the following videos, New Tech Network, High Tech High, and Envision/Metro Schools, and I am pleased to say I have spent entire school days shadowing students at schools in each of these three networks.
This last one won’t embed, but here is a link: http://www.newtechnetwork.org/node/252
21k12 
January 11, 2011 at 6:44 am
Oh, thank you for these! I really appreciate them. There are a couple that I have not seen.
If I may, I’d like to rewrite for just a minute. Marvin Bailey’s quote from the 5th video “…getting knowledge, obtaining knowledge, and understanding what to do with it…understanding how to use the Internet , get resources there, the pull those resources into a meaningful display of information and make something happen. Those are skill sets workers are looking for …”
Doesn’t this highlights the classroom teacher’s dilemma. Concerning PBL, classroom teachers need information understanding how to use PBL as well how to get resources and pull those resources into a meaningful display of information and make something happen. We want to know the why and the how. We want, no, need the how and the why to come as a package with products.
To be clear, I’m not asking for a step-by-step guide to PBL, that would not be realistic. I also recognize that teachers in the midst of quality PBL don’t have much time to video because of their level of engagement in the process.
I LOVE the Propositions Project Overview from The Metropolitan Arts and Tech School in CA. The teacher talks about the lesson; we hear and the kids in process which gives evidence of what they are learning, and we see clips of the product in the final venue.
Monkey Trial Hearing – Mock School Board hearing from New Tech High is the subject of each of the first two videos and is number 2 on my list of favorites of the PLBs shown here. You see and hear the why and the how to do PBL.
The 3rd and 6th videos are the same subject too. Both videos show glimpses of GREAT, high-quality products, but they leave me wanting more just as the BIE video left you wanting more. The how is missing for me.
Keep writing and posting, please. You are helping us think!
January 12, 2011 at 6:58 am
[…] recently, Martin has posted “8 High Quality Project Based Learning (PBL) Videos.” Also, my learning and teaching partner, Jill Gough, has gotten into the blog-comment […]
January 16, 2011 at 6:30 pm
Although im happy to see advocacy for non-watered down pbl,
I’m glad you calmed down about the BIE video. It’s a great intro
piece. It’s also worth mentioning the pioneering EdVisions and Big
Picture Company organizations in this post.. These orgs encourage
and implement more student-centered approaches than NewTech and
Envisions, which I as a purest think we should be pushing more
towards 🙂 Cheers
January 17, 2011 at 5:19 pm
Hello Shane:
Perhaps I have calmed down about the BIE video, and if it pleases you that I have, good. I think the world of BIE, but I am still troubled that those who might be skeptics of PBL will only have that skepticism reinforced.
Yes, some who know nothing will be informed by the PBL Explained video, and that is a good thing, but I worry about the skeptics.
I also admire EdVisions and Big Picture schools, but just happen to know less about them. I will take your encouragement to work to learn more about them! Thanks so much!
Jonathan
January 17, 2011 at 5:21 pm
Jill, thanks so much for your comments– I love how thoughtful you are being about the value of these videos, and am learning from you.
To BIE’s credit, its handbook is indeed a terrific resource for How-To PBL. It might be a great resource for teachers you are working with.