Maths and Physics at CSHS

Gaye Williams Friday 22 Feb 2008

Today Gaye Williams came in to discuss her thoughts and ideas on Problem Based Learning. This meeting was also with Ian owe as part of our Maths Project (PLAT). This session began with Gaye observing one of my General Maths classes. I had planned this session as an introduction to Linear equations and their applications. This session included students using technology to investigate factors affecting Car Rental.

On reflection the lesson I had in mind was at the lower end of the cognitive scale. With the expertise and influence of Gaye however I was able to extend it into a more sophisticated task. This was done by asking an open question that allowed a variety of responses to be valid while at the same time involving students mathematical and numeracy skills.
The question also included a personal aspect with a real life context. This allowed for leading questions to be asked that were personalised.

The final aspect for a PBL Task that Gaye outlined as being important was that of a product. This allows students to share their learning. On this occasion I advised students to create a Studywiz Blog entry. In the future however this could also be made more open.

Other interesting points to come out of this discussion with Gaye included:

• The ordering of reporting back by studenst as a scaffold for student understanding, this would also allow
  • all studenst responses to be valued
  • building on each students knowledge to achieve the learning outcome required
  • meaning making
• Making explorations with PBL at the start of a unit of work and using these as starting points.
• The Japanese approach of using peer observation for the polishing of learning tasks

Tags: gaye williams, ian lowe, open, pbl, peer observation, personal, product