Avondale students take ownership of their learning

Avondale School District 5th graders created an American Indian Museum using
the Project Based Learning Method of instruction.

Project Based Learning (PBL) is a teaching methodology that delivers curriculum in a way that helps students build the skills that will serve them along whatever path they follow into post-graduation life. Avondale School District is in its third year of district-wide training and implementation of the strategy that gives students ownership of their learning.

“We are committed to helping our students develop the skills they will need to be successful in whatever career path they choose,” said Superintendent Dr. James Schwarz. “We’re confident that PBL is the instructional approach that will get our students there.”

Addressing what employers refer to as a “soft skills gap”, PBL allows students to develop their oral and written communication, problem-solving, critical thinking and collaboration skills. In addition, it fosters creativity and flexibility and promotes an environment that encourages students to develop their information literacy skills.

“PBL is the perfect vehicle for students to expand their information literacy efficiency,” said Carmen Kennedy, Avondale School District Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. “The responsibility to locate, accurately evaluate, effectively use and clearly communicate information is placed on the student rather than the teacher,” she said.

Kennedy continued, “in the past teachers handed the students a text book that was vetted to provide only the information that educators wanted the students to have at a specific time, during a specific unit of study. PBL requires the learner to locate information on their own or as a team to uncover answers that should prompt more questions and more answers. The teacher models and navigates the process but ultimately each student is the owner of their learning and they can take a question as far as they want to.”

Typically based in small group projects, PBL also necessitates that students cultivate their interpersonal skills. The experience even includes opportunity for the students to self-evaluate and evaluate team members and the team as a whole. “When it’s a team effort, the students need to consider the strengths and weaknesses of each team member and work within that dynamic,” said Kennedy. “It’s a unique opportunity for them to develop that kind of insight. Insight that will be necessary in the real-world modern day workplace where cubicles are replaced by maker spaces and team projects take place over the internet.”

Schwarz understands the value of Project Based Learning instruction and recognizes it as a shift in teaching mindset. He credits the district-wide commitment to student success as the reason so many staff members embraced the new approach. “Avondale teachers know that the best education we can provide is one that serves our students even after graduation – especially after graduation,” he said. “Growth of those soft skills, coupled with developing of students as owners of their own learning gives them tools that will take them as far as they want to go.”