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Does Project-Based Learning Feel Overwhelming? AI Might Be the Key to Making It Work. For busy educators like us, it's been a struggle to effectively implement project-based learning (PBL) while balancing standards, time constraints, and assessment requirements. There simply aren't enough hours in the day. But what if AI could eliminate these barriers and make PBL more accessible than ever? In this episode, I sat down with Phil Alcock and Thom Markham, two leading innovators who are bridging the gap between AI and student-centered classrooms. They share how AI tools are reshaping the PBL design process, freeing us to focus on what truly matters—guiding and supporting students in meaningful, inquiry-driven work. We learn:
This week I am delighted to share my conversation with Dr Thom Markham who is considered one of the founding fathers of Project Based Learning, Thom Markham is an educator by trade, a positive psychologist by training, and a global entrepreneur dedicated to expanding educator mindsets in service to a positive future. n 2015, Thom established PBL Global to offer online courses and onsite professional learning for a transformative strengths-focused model of project based learning that integrates high quality project design, student centered growth, and social emotional well-being. In this conversation we discussed how to let go of the traditional standard pathway and supposition in education that all will be fine and that instead we have to think about the personal capabilities of our children and how to best develop them and one way to do that is to honour who they are as individuals rather than asking them to fit into the system. Thom's book can be found here: Redefining Smart
Thom Markham is a Project Based Learning pioneer and founder of PBL Global. As a psychologist, author, speaker, educator, and President of PBL Global, an educational organization focused on innovation and transformation through promoting inquiry-based learning, Thom offers a set of unique services that can help schools and districts envision, design, and implement a successful, sustainable plan for educating 21st century young people. In this episode, we cover: How project-based learning helps learners build skills for the future PBL as a tool to bring the system of life and the system of academics together Social-emotional development being supported by project-based learning Can individualized learning happen with PBL The only way to truly to become a great PBL facilitator and teacher How project-based learning allow people to seamlessly enter the workforce with the skills that are necessary Thom's global coalition of PBL educators and hopes for virtual learning SHOW NOTES: https://www.podpage.com/rebel-educator/29
The Game Changers podcast celebrates those true pioneers in education who are building schools for tomorrow. In this conversation of the Game Changers podcast, we talk with Thom Markham, Founder of PBL Global. Considered one of the founding fathers of Project Based Learning, Thom is an educator by trade, a positive psychologist by training, and a global entrepreneur dedicated to expanding educator mindsets in service to a positive future. In 2015, Thom founded PBL Global, a world-wide partner-based organization offering online courses and onsite professional learning for a transformative strengths-focused model of project based learning that integrates high quality project design, student centered growth, and social emotional wellbeing. Thom has worked with over 400 schools and 6000 teachers in 20 countries. In this episode, he speaks on the need for problem-solving in PBL, the necessary openness of PBL teachers, and how the pandemic has led to a radical shift in global education. The Game Changers podcast is produced by Oliver Cummins for Orbital Productions, supported by a School for tomorrow (aSchoolfortomorrow.com), and powered by CIRCLE by CIRCLE – The Centre for Innovation, Research, Creativity and Leadership in Education (www.circle.education). The podcast is hosted on SoundCloud and distributed through Spotify, Google Play, and Apple Podcasts. Please subscribe and tell your friends you like what you are hearing. You can contact us at gamechangers@circle.education, on Twitter and Instagram via @GameChangersPC, and you can also connect with Philip SA Cummins and Adriano Di Prato via LinkedIn. Adriano loves his insta and tweets a lot; Phil posts videos to YouTube.
This is a particularly nourishing episode of the Meaningful Learning podcast by Coconut Thinking. Our guest is Dr. Thom Markham, considered one of the founding fathers of Project Based Learning. Thom Markham is an educator by trade, a positive psychologist by training, and a global entrepreneur dedicated to expanding educator mindsets in service to a positive future. This conversation is the first of I hope many amongst a nascent community of thinkers and doers who believe that we need to shift our values away from anthropocentrism toward biocentrism, toward purpose that benefits other living beings. We had the Agricultural Revolution, the Industrial Revolution... now it's time for another revolution, one where humans develop beyond themselves. In this conversation, Thom and I discuss:How the neuro-cognitive model we use is breaking downSocial Growth MindsetSustainability as the driving standard for learning and doing.Join us for another episode of the Meaningful Learning podcast by Coconut Thinking.
Considered one of the founding fathers of Project Based Learning, Thom Markham is an educator by trade, a positive psychologist by training, and a global entrepreneur dedicated to expanding educator mindsets in service to a positive future. In 2015, Thom founded PBL Global, a world-wide partner-based organization offering online courses and onsite professional learning for a transformative strengths-focused model of project based learning that integrates high quality project design, student centered growth, and social emotional wellbeing. Thom has worked with over 400 schools and 6000 teachers in 20 countries. His previous best-selling books include Project Based Learning Design and Coaching Guide: Expert tools for innovation and inquiry for K-12 educators (2012) and Redefining Smart: Awakening Students' Power to Reimagine Their World (2015), as well as numerous articles on school transformation. Social Links Email: thom@pblglobal.com LinkedIn: @thom-markham-phd Twitter: @thommarkham
What is next in Project-Based Learning - listen to what Thom has to say above. Dan talks with the godfather of PBL - Thom Markham who reveals where project-based learning should be headed and remarkably it is also where it has come from. This is a great listen if you are keen to discover more about PBL and what it can do for your students. Thom Markham the Godfather of PBL reveals he next steps in PBL by Daniel Jackson is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Learn more about Thom's Workshop in Sydney Click here 7 Steps for Qulity PBL Finding an authentic challenge a good problem to be solved Driving question Decide what they do at the end Assess the project - determine whether it is good High-quality performance rubrics (know and do) Deep explicit rubrics exactly what students need to do Teaching and learning activities - set the project and get ideas from the students Turn students lose on the doing - Team learning (teamwork, accountability, responsibility, doing work, drafts and revision, design thinking) Showcase or present (Mastery Level) - a higher level of problem-solving and mastery of the discipline The next step for PBL helps to create lifelong learners A focus on human development “strengths-focused or strengths-based approach” Individual growth, Developing wellbeing Problem-solving and problem finding Self-directed throughout How do you do this? Know your students A kind and caring classroom Student-teacher partnership for best performance Students set goals and objectives, how they want to grow and where they want to get to and reflect upon it Rubrics that include curiosity, work ethic and NEW curriculum with wellbeing integrated throughout A Head Heart and Hands Approach Where to start Distinguish between general projects and PBL PBL incorporates projects BUT it uses a strong methodology to encourage better outcomes Rubric Problem questions Authenticity Plung in - design a PBL unit as best you can and learn as you go. Get feedback from students etc Requires a mind shift. Think "What do students need to appreciate about the topic?" - go for wonder and interest Ask students, what are they interested in. The teacher is the Co-Learner Learn more about Thom's Workshop in Sydney Click here
What is next in Project-Based Learning - listen to what Thom has to say above.Dan talks with the godfather of PBL - Thom Markham who reveals where project-based learning should be headed and remarkably it is also where it has come from. This is a great listen if you are keen to discover more about PBL and what it can do for your students.Thom Markham the Godfather of PBL reveals he next steps in PBL by Daniel Jackson is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.Join the Facebook CommunityLearn more about Thom's Workshop in SydneyClick here7 Steps for Qulity PBLFinding an authentic challenge a good problem to be solvedDriving questionDecide what they do at the end Assess the project - determine whether it is goodHigh-quality performance rubrics (know and do)Deep explicit rubrics exactly what students need to doTeaching and learning activities - set the project and get ideas from the studentsTurn students lose on the doing - Team learning (teamwork, accountability, responsibility, doing work, drafts and revision, design thinking)Showcase or present (Mastery Level) - a higher level of problem-solving and mastery of the disciplineThe next step for PBL helps to create lifelong learnersA focus on human development “strengths-focused or strengths-based approach”Individual growth, Developing wellbeingProblem-solving and problem findingSelf-directed throughout How do you do this?Know your studentsA kind and caring classroomStudent-teacher partnership for best performanceStudents set goals and objectives, how they want to grow and where they want to get to and reflect upon itRubrics that include curiosity, work ethic andNEW curriculum with wellbeing integrated throughout A Head Heart and Hands ApproachWhere to startDistinguish between general projects and PBLPBL incorporates projects BUT it uses a strong methodology to encourage better outcomesRubricProblem questionsAuthenticityPlung in - design a PBL unit as best you can and learn as you go.Get feedback from students etcRequires a mind shift.Think "What do students need to appreciate about the topic?" - go for wonder and interestAsk students, what are they interested in.The teacher is the Co-LearnerLearn more about Thom's Workshop in SydneyClick here
Thom Markham is a founding father of Project Based Learning. Started in the mid-90s at a high school trying to reclaim the positive name of the school. Formed charter high school - envision schools. Wrote the handbook on PBL PBL Global PBL = problem to be solved, investigating process, end of process - defining what they did to solve their problem. Lots of variations in that definition. Inquiry, research, facilitated One of the misnomers is the notion is that it is discovery only. Teacher has a strong role in PBL, but it changes. 3 roles: direct instruction, mentor, designer. To be a designer, need to have a better idea of whose role is what? What do you need to learn from someone else, and what do you need to discover yourself? Sensitive to students, need to know them. PBL works better in a personalized culture in the classroom. Getting teams to work well is challenging. We don’t teach teachers known coaching protocols. Skillset is changing dramatically. Teaching 21st century skills. Goal of working with teams is welcoming disruption. Critique as designers. Focus on some personal skills. Every teacher candidate in personality profile to learn what their strengths and weaknesses are. Having very serious conversations about mindset and skillset. Self-analysis and inquiry into the teaching profession. You have to look at yourself and see if you can handle it. Take an inward look and not just an outward look. What is high quality PBL 6 essential principles of PBL Social Emotional learning Human performance method, not a content acquisition method. If you’re going to have kids working in teams, how are they going to work in teams? Chief characteristic is humility. Teams of students create quality work. Accountability, becoming a leader. Breaking down collaboration skills. What happens in the middle of the project? Teaching design thinking process. Social good-focused PBL projects. the standards are not capable of containing what we can learn in the world. Intelligence as successful behavior Z school Deep performance rubrics that kids can judge themselves against. What’s the nature of intelligence in today’s world? The curriculum is the world. You’re in one of the most creative professions in the world. In places where the PBL is happening, the teachers. How to be a transformative principal? Have some basic training in project based learning. How to become an inquiry-based teacher? Schedule a call with Jethro Are you feeling like you are always behind at school? Do you feel like you need about 2 more hours each day to accomplish everything? Here’s how I help principals work manageable hours: Create your ideal week, so that you can leave work at work and enjoy your life! Please take a moment to rate this podcast in iTunes or on Stitcher. Please follow me on Twitter: @jethrojones for the host and @TrnFrmPrincipal for the show. Buy Communication Cards Show notes on TransformativePrincipal.com Download Paperless Principal. Take Control of your email Web Site Transformative Principal on Stitcher Refer A Principal Best Tools for Busy Administrators Survey
CHANGING WORLDWIDE EDUCATION THROUGH PROJECT BASED LEARNING A leading voice in PBL, Thom Markham of PBL Global joins us for a discussion of the impact on student learning and the training of teachers. Presented by WATERFORD INSTITUTE
CHANGING WORLDWIDE EDUCATION THROUGH PROJECT BASED LEARNING A leading voice in PBL, Thom Markham of PBL Global joins us for a discussion of the impact on student learning and the training of teachers. Presented by WATERFORD INSTITUTE
People used to joke that the one subject that everybody talked about was the weather. Today, it may very well be that the subject is education. Listen at school events, at the grocery store, at sporting events, everywhere there are parents and children, education is often topic one. Along with that conversation are lots of buzzwords, opinions, traditional talk and the desire for change. Dr. Thom Markham is at the cutting edge of that change. In the world of work, where people like futurist and Wired magazine founder Kevin Kelly say that today's employers have to “train for skills but hire for attitude,” clearly we have to rethink what education is all about. And few are doing that more than Dr. Thom Markham. My conversation with Thom Markham:
Drew Perkins talks with Thom Markham about world class project based learning and how his new online course can help bring this framework to teachers around the world.
Thom Markham joins Justin Baeder to discuss his book, Redefining Smart: Awakening Students' Power to Reimagine Their World.Interview Notes, Resources, & Links Purchase Thom's book, Redefining Smart: Awakening Students' Power to Reimagine Their World.Visit Thom's website at ThomMarkham.comFollow Thom on Twitter at @ThomMarkhamAbout Thom MarkhamThom Markham is founder and CEO of PBL Global. He provides professional development to help schools around the world develop high-quality, challenging, and authentic projects.