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

Monica Lee, Purdue UniversityAmy Carrington, Tuttle Middle School

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

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

Background

Tech-Know Build (TKB) projectFunded 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

GoalTo develop students’ critical-thinking and problem-solving skillsTo support teachers’ development of student-centered belief and practices

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 featuresAn ill-structured problem that reflects real-world complexity Student-centered learning

• Teacher takes on a facilitator’s role. • Learners take ownership of their own learning.

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

PBL lesson unit in the Middle School

Learning contexts7 advanced middle school ELL (English Language Learning) students

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

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)

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

Increased opportunities to negotiate meaning to deliver the message

Increased communicative competence

Discussion with a guest speaker

Advantages of PBL for ESL learners

Brainstorming example (Inspiration)

Brainstorming example (Inspiration)

Project Journal

Project Journal(cont’d)

Newspaper using Publisher

Newspaper using Publisher(cont’d)

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

These advantages may have a strong impact especially for ESL students who

could have experienced more failure than success in learning situations

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 toolsVideo footage of the process: brainstorming, designing, developing, presentationExamples of student work: project journals, articles, etc. Teacher interview (Pre- and Post-lesson) & students interviews (Post-lesson)

Please email me (lee146@purdue.edu), if you’d like to receive more information