Project-Based Learning: Boosting 21st Century Skills in Class
Finland Summer Edition 2024
Course Summary
This course is done in collaboration with the Tampere-based educational consultancy Moti Education. There will be co-trainers who are Finnish teachers (see below).
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Are you looking for teaching strategies and methodologies that can boost your students’ 21st century skills? If yes, Project-Based Learning (PBL) can equip you with some keys to make that happen in your class.
This course has been created for global educators from Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary levels who are new to PBL and want to be able to implement it in class to increase students’ motivation and 21st skills.
Research and teacher testimonials tell us that PBL engages students deeply, it gives them a deeper understanding of the topic, builds up key life skills like critical thinking, communication, and cooperation, and can potentially close the achievement gap by engaging lower-achieving students too.​
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You will learn about the basic principles of PBL following the Gold Standards framework, the four stages to implement it, and many strategies for PBL instruction assessment, feedback, and reflection. You will also explore how to manage teams and projects, team formation, scaffolding collaboration, and assessing teamwork in efficient ways. Not only that, but you will explore and analyze curated PBL units and give you opportunities to brainstorm project ideas, share them, and exchange opinions with peers.
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​During the course, you will be guided step by step with small daily tasks to enable you to progressively complete your personal project, the draft of a PBL unit for your classes and gain confidence in doing so.
Book your course
Tampere (Finland)
2nd -6th September 2024
5 days Price: 400 Euros
(25 hours)
6 days Price: 480 Euros(30 hours)
*Late fee: 60 extra euros will be charged if paid less than 8 weeks before the course.
Register your interest
Learning Outcomes
• Define Project-Based Learning (PBL)
• Describe the benefits and challenges of PBL
• Brainstorm project ideas for your class
• Promote efficient teamwork among students
• Promote constant and meaningful reflection practices among your students
• Identify the challenges of designing a PBL unit and ways to overcome them.
• Apply digital technologies to facilitate PBL
• Create a PBL unit for your class
Schedule
Day 1: PBL: A vintage innovation
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-Presentations; Course Introductions
-Team building activities
-Discover what and why PBL.
-Dive into the framework of Gold Standards for PBL and examine examples of curated high quality PBL units.
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Day 2: Phases and design of PBL
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-4 phases of PBL
-Easy steps to design your PBL unit
-Case studies
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Day 3: Assessment, Feedback and Reflection
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​​-Monitor and support student learning effectively throughout all your project.
-Discover the different types of assessment, feedback and reflection strategies for PBL
-Learn about how you can implement them effectively in your classes.
-Teacher personal project: PBL unit (template provided)
Day 4: SEL and Technology ally with PBL!
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​-Explore free digital tools that promote collaboration
-PBL and Social and Emotional Learning go hand in hand
-Teacher personal project: A PBL unit (template provided)
-Critical Friends protocol (Peer feedback)
Day 5: Our PBL Community
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-Building and sustaining our PBL community at school
​-Teacher personal project (time to prep)
-Participants presentations on their personal projects and peer feedback
-Final Reflection.
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Day 6: Nature Experience (if you choose the 6 days option)
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-Outdoor half-day experience in nature
Your Trainers
Dr. Carolina Castro
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Carolina is an experienced educator with 21 years of teaching career in Primary, Secondary and Tertiary education in Europe, USA and Australia. She started using SEL strategies in her classes in 2018, trying to solve very serious multicultural and gender issues in her classes. The results were very promising and from that point on she has become a passionate SEL advocate and practitioner, implementing these strategies in teacher training too.
For the last 5 years, she has trained teachers from Europe, Asia and Australia, and she has collaborated with educational foundations and whole schools around the world. Carolina has a B.A. in English Language and Literature, an M.A. in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language, and a Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics and Education. Some of her topics of expertise are Project-Based Learning, Project-Based Language Learning, Social and Emotional Learning, Digital tools for education, CLIL, Life skills, Pedagogy and E-Pedagogy among others.
She has presented in academic conferences, professional events for teachers and doctoral seminars around the world, online and face to face. When Carolina's PhD thesis was published, it was one of the few examples in the world of a foreign languages' practitioner using PBLL together with digital technologies sharing her experience.
Saija Artama
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Saija Artama is a mathematic and science teacher at a lower secondary school in Finland. She holds a Master of Science in Technology degree expanded with education science and pedagogy studies required in Finland and has 15 years of experience in teaching and curriculum development at the middle school level. Currently, Saija is actively involved in the Finnish national STEM education network, contributing to the advancement of teaching STEM subjects. Additionally, she is studying digital learning environments and digital pedagogy at the University of Helsinki. She is also a member of the national network for digital education. Through ongoing education, she has embarked on enhancing her teaching methods to better align with the skills required in the 21st century.
Previously, Saija worked as a vice principal at a large lower secondary school for three years. During this time, she chaired the school's well-being committee and collaborated with special education teachers, student welfare, and social services to develop student well-being initiatives. She places great importance on positive pedagogy based on the research findings of positive psychology. Project-based learning, phenomenon-based learning, and social and emotional learning are among her specific areas of interest.
Piia Tynkkynen
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Piia Tynkkynen is a special education teacher at a lower secondary school in Finland. She holds a Master of Philosophy in History and Social Studies degree, expanded with pedagogy and special education studies required in Finland. Piia has almost 15 years of experience in teaching history and social studies, and the past 10 years in special education. Specifically, Piia has been working to prevent the phenomenon of school dropouts and increase students' school attachment.
The newest development in her work is creating a consultative work model for teachers in the city of Tampere, along with 11 other special education teachers. Piia has been providing consultation to teachers at different levels in various schools for the past 2 years. Additionally, Piia has specialized in neuropsychiatric training, which she implements with students at her own school. Last year, Piia participated in a course on teaching and assessment of multicultural students organized by the Finnish National Agency for Education.
As a teacher, Piia is solution-oriented and uses methods based on empowerment strategies with her students. It is important in her work to find the best possible ways to teach each individual and also to enhance the social and emotional well-being of students and their families. Piia is accustomed to collaborating with healthcare and social workers, and positive pedagogy serves as her guiding principle.
Essential Info
Duration: 6 days, 30 hours.
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Certificate: A completion certificate will be provided when participants attend a minimum of 80% of the course.
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Language: The course will be facilitated in English. Participants need to have a minimum of a B1 to attend.
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Activities: A city tour and an outdoor nature experience are included.
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Schedule: Sessions can take place in the morning (9h to 14h) or the afternoon (15h to 20h). The day-by-day timetable posted here is tentative, your trainer will send it to you one week before the course begins and she may change it depending on the group needs accordingly.
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TAKE A LOOK AT TAMPERE!
Numerous events, fascinating cultural experiences and soothing lake views to match the relaxed atmosphere makes the city very appealing all year round. Dive into the beat of Tampere with us!
Many natural trails around.
Tampere is the capital of Saunas in Finland
You can find several lake beaches in Tampere.
Many natural trails around.