This post was written by Erin Murphy and was originally published on her blog.
Ross: What do you think about writing a book on PBL?
Me: I think you’re crazy.
Ross: Just think about it.
If I’m being honest, I tried not to think about it. Unfortunately, the idea got stuck in my head. At first I fixated mostly on my failures: terrible rubrics, lengthy directions, displays of content rather than displays of learning, and the list could go on. Eventually, my stream of consciousness turned to the solutions I created (often times through a conversation with Ross), and then my wheels really started spinning. The true tipping point, however, came later in the week, when I bumped into a former student. She approached my family and me, while we were waiting to be seated at a restaurant, and said, “I was JUST telling my parents about the time you let us save those plants in the school garden from that fungus!”
Nine years.
This learner was in my class nine years prior.
Well, that really got me thinking. If experiences in my classroom held up to the test of time, maybe I did have something to write about after all.
Writing Hacking Project Based Learning: 10 Easy Steps to PBL and Inquiry in the Classroom was just as much about the failures as it was the triumphs (in fact, the failures probably had a greater impact). Mostly, though, it was about the kids. For us, this book is about sharing a clear framework for implementing PBL, with the ultimate goal of creating more educational experiences worthy of conversation after nine years.
This last year has been a whirlwind. Ross and I could not have predicted the positive acclaim that has surrounded our first book. Our work has connected us with opportunities, adventures, and people for which we are endlessly grateful. We continue to learn and grow with each moment, each interaction, and to show our appreciation, we want to offer you a Hacking PBL Birthday Gift!
We have compiled our favorite resources into an interactive online course, and we are giving it to you FOR FREE.
Thank you for joining us on this journey and for adding to the PBL conversation around the world!
We appreciate you.
Here's what's included…
- Over 65 additional resources, organized by hack/chapter, to help you take off with project based learning – plus an introductory video for each hack
- eBook Add-On – Contains 10 blog posts, each an extension of one of the 10 hacks/chapters from Hacking Project Based Learning
- eBook: Sweet Spot Directions – Tips and authentic examples for how to deliver your project based learning directions in style
- Project Planning Template – The easiest way to make project based learning a reality for you and your students
- Hacking PBL 101 Slide Deck – An outline of the book, in slide format, that is ideal for project based learning professional development
- Theory to Practice Book Study Guide – 3 professional learning options for facilitating a Hacking Project Based Learning book study
- Question Cards – 36 questions to get you started with your discussions – 3 per hack/chapter, plus the introduction & conclusion
- Posters – 8 posters featuring some of our favorite quotes from Hacking Project Based Learning
- And more!
Ross Cooper
Latest posts by Ross Cooper (see all)
- Throwing Our Own Ideas Under the Bus - July 1, 2018
- Here's How We're Moving Forward as an Elementary School… - June 25, 2018
- I'm a New Principal, Here's How I Followed up on My Entry Plan… - June 12, 2018
Thank you so much for your generosity of time, feedback, and ideas! I live by PBL and find it so refreshing to connect with other educators who are willing to share. I thrive on moving student centered learning forward. 🙌
It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d without a doubt donate to this excellent blog!
I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your
RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to brand new updates
and will talk about this site with my Facebook group. Chat soon!