Project Based Learning (PBL) promotes in-depth inquiry, gives students a voice and choice in their learning, and through many steps of revision and reflection, students are able to demonstrate their significant content learning to a public audience. PBL involves students playing an active role in their own learning by becoming invested in the inquiry process while exploring a driving question. By using the philosophy and grading practices of Standards Based/Referenced Grading, students will be gaining the necessary feedback and guidance to master the skills and content from the standards.

So how do you get started? By taking this course, Authentic Engagement and Assessment. This course will be taught in the framework of PBL and will be centered around the driving question, “How can teachers effectively implement the eight essential elements of PBL while using Standards Based / Referenced Grading to increase student motivation and achievement?” At the end of the course, participants will not only understand the process of creating a PBL with SBG as the assessment piece, but they will have a well designed unit with a corresponding proficiency scale that will be ready for implementation!

Past participants have said:
"This class has been very eye-opening for me. Often times when I take a class, I find myself annoyed at the exercise of having to create something that I would not use due to standards, cost, appropriateness---but this is the exception. I can totally see myself using the unit I designed in the Language Arts."
"Our PLC meetings and my knowledge of my standards are going better overall due to this class and for that I thank you."
"The instructor is fantastic! She is very well prepared, organized, and supportive! I learned so much though the assigned readings, videos, and unit design. I will refer back to the articles and videos to continue to enhance my learning and also share with my PLC. Thank you so much! I''m looking forward to developing my PBL units and continuing my study of authentic engagement."
Participants will need to purchase the required book: PBL Starter Kit (32.95 via bie.org website) by
John Larmer (Author), David Ross (Author), John R. Mergendollar (Author)a=1