Promoting Problem-Based Learning for English as a Second Language Learners

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Promoting Problem-Based Learning for English as a
Second Language Learners

• Monica Lee, Purdue University
• Amy Carrington, Tuttle Middle School

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Agenda

• Purpose Background
• What is Problem-Based Learning (PBL)?
• The role of technology in PBL
• Example A PBL unit in the middle school
• Advantages of PBL for ESL learners

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Purpose of the Presentation

• To present the potential and the possibilities of
  PBL at ESL settings
• through a practical example of PBL at a middle
  school ESL setting
• To introduce a web site that will be developed
  after the completion of the PBL unit
• as a guiding model for other ESL teachers to
  design, develop, and facilitate PBL in their
  classrooms

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Background

• Tech-Know Build (TKB) project
• Funded by the U.S. Department of Education's
  Technology Innovation Challenge Grant (2000-2005)
• Partnership Crawfordsville School Corporation,
  Indiana Public Schools, ISPUI, and Purdue
  University
• Goal
• To develop students critical-thinking and
  problem-solving skills
• To support teachers development of
  student-centered belief and practices

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What is Problem-Based Learning (PBL)?

• A teaching/learning approach that relies on
  ill-structured problem to provide opportunities
  for student learning (Ertmer et al, 2004)
• Two key features
• An ill-structured problem that reflects
  real-world complexity
• Student-centered learning
• Teacher takes on a facilitators role.
• Learners take ownership of their own learning.

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The role of Technology in PBL

• PBL is a meaningful and effective way to
  integrate technology into the classroom through
  the ill-structured problems
• Technology becomes a critical tool for students
  information searching, decision-making, and
  presenting solutions

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PBL lesson unit in the Middle School

• Learning contexts
• 7 advanced middle school ELL (English Language
  Learning) students

• Driving question/problem
• How to overcome the barrier between the
  immigrants and the community
• What do we want to share/teach others about
  Hispanics in Crawfordsville?

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PBL unit Overall process

• Introduction of the problem (Nov.15 19)
• Video on immigration sharing ideas
• Brainstorming (Nov.22 Dec.17)
• Using Inspiration
• Guest speaker
• Attending other students presentation meeting
  with the community members
• Design development (Jan.4 Mar.25)
• Writing articles using MS Word
• Publishing a newspaper to introduce the project
  to others using MS Publisher
• Writing a play script using MS Word
• Film edit using MS Movie Maker
• Final presentation with community members (Mar.29
  31)

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Advantages of PBL for ESL learners

• Increased amount of language input
• Authentic and contextualized language use
• Shift of students attention from using accurate
  forms to meaning

Brainstorming Activity
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Advantages of PBL for ESL learners

• Increased opportunities to negotiate meaning to
  deliver the message
• Increased communicative competence

Discussion with a guest speaker
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Brainstorming example (Inspiration)
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Brainstorming example (Inspiration)
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Project Journal
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Project Journal(contd)
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Newspaper using Publisher
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Newspaper using Publisher(contd)
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Advantages of PBL for ESL learners

• Increased motivation
• Increased ownership in learning
• Increased self-confidence as a learner

These advantages may have a strong impact
especially for ESL students who could have
experienced more failure than success in learning
situations
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• A web site (www.pblforesl.com) will be developed
  to present the ESL teacher and students
  experiences with PBL, including
• Guiding question, learning contexts, lesson plan,
  resources, identified standards, assessment tools
• Video footage of the process brainstorming,
  designing, developing, presentation
• Examples of student work project journals,
  articles, etc.
• Teacher interview (Pre- and Post-lesson)
  students interviews (Post-lesson)
• Please email me (lee146_at_purdue.edu), if youd
  like to receive more information