Problem+Based+Learning+(PBL)

=== Problem based learning (PBL) is an extremely effective teaching tool that can be used to engage students in content while learning problem-solving skills. The purpose of this series of assignments is to help you practice developing effective problem based learning activities for your classroom. ===

Problem Based Learning Part 1:
As an introduction to Problem Based Learning, as well as the overall structure of a web quest, please go to What is Problem Based Learning? and #|complete the activity described. When you are done, you should be able to ...

1. Describe the characteristics of a Problem Based Learning lesson. 2. Describe the purpose and structure of a web quest. 3. Analyze different web quests to determine if they are true PBL lessons or not.

Problem Based Learning Part 2:
== For this assignment, you are to design your own Problem Based Learning activity and publish it in the form of a web quest. You should post the link to your web quest, along with a description of the activity and the concepts covered, under the student work section below.== ==== The rubric being used to assess this assignment is has two parts. The first part counts towards your course grade; the second part is being used by your instructor to assess how well your PBL lesson meets NCATE standards. ====

Web Quest Templates: [] []

=Student Work: = =Coral Reef PBL Donnelly WebQuest = = = DorjathWebQuest **"Endangered Species Webquest" - Phil Dorjath** This is a PBL based webquest that focuses on endangered species. The students must research an endangered species, present information on an endangered species, and divise possible methods for saving an endangered species. The activity covers aspects of ecology, conservational biology, and zoology all being centered around the main idea of endangered species.

Overpopulation PBL- Brock Parrott- WebQuest <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">This is a PBL based webquest that focuses on overpopulation. The students will divide into groups of three. They will then pick which role they would like to take on. The students will do the research assigned to each particular role. They will then combine their collected information and make a PowerPoint that they will present to the class.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">LicocciWebQuest "Pregnant Old Woman?" -Sammy Licocci This is a PBL webquest addressing a medical mystery case. The students are given roles in a hospital and must use their research tools and cooperative skills to figure out how this 75-year-old woman could possibly have a baby. They must also create a treatment plan to help her with her pain and swelling in her abdomen.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">[|Taylor WebQuest Oil Spill!] <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">This PBL allows students to take the role of the nation's leading scientists to solve an oil spill crisis in the Gulf Coast. The students must research how their particular role is involved in the prevention of further spread of the oil and the clean up of it as well. They must create a PowerPoint presentation that addresses what they will do to solve this dilemma.

Too Many Greenhouse Gases - David Herbst This PBL allows students to take on the role of discovering the causes, effects, and solutions to the rise in several greenhouse gases. After they perform research from designated websites they will create a PowerPoint trying to "sell" their solution to President Obama.

[|Awesometown Energy Crisis]This PBL activity has the students participating as three different experts that have to make a proposal for the mayor of Awesometown as to how he could power his town without the use of fossil fuels. The students must research their different possible methods that correspond with their discipline. Once completed the proposal will be displayed for the mayor and he will come to a conclusion about whether or not he will set their proposal into motion.

rainforest endangered species webquest This PBL allows students to explore a particular area of the world and its rain forests. Students will be assigned a particular area in the world and then choose an endangered species that is native to that area. They will be working in groups of three to research the endangered species and possible ways to help keep the species from dying off. Information about the rain forest environment as well as the species will be gathered and presented to the class in a power point presentation.

Water Pollution Webquest - Vitale **Angela Vitale -** This PBL webquest allows students to explore the effects of water pollution in a town's river and to come up with solutions to cleaning up the pollutants and preventing further pollution. The PBL incorporates biology, chemistry and earth science. In groups of three, students create a PowerPoint presentation to be shown to the mayor of the town, proposing their effects and solution.

Bruinius Evolution Webquest **Adam Bruinius** - This PBL webquest involves students exploring the the concepts of evolution in order to offer an explanation to the general public about the origins of recently discovered species. The students use knowledge rooted in biology, earth science, and chemistry to complete this assignment. They will work in groups of three to inform the world of the mechanisms, evidence, and outcomes of evolution.

Williams-Giant Panda WebQuest **Taryn Williams -** This PBL webquest engages students in exploring the endangered specie-the Giant Panda, to result in making a recovery plan in the form of a proposal to the World Wildlife Fund. They will also implement awareness through an advertisement they choose to make. This PBL integrates ecology, conservation biology, environmental biology, and zoology. They will work in groups to perform these tasks, as they will present their products to the class.

DeWees- Drill or Not to Drill Webquest **Dan DeWees**- This PBL webquest has students investigating the possible impacts on a wetland ecosystem if an oil company is allowed to drill in it. They will research and present to a city council their findings to persuade them to either allow or deny the drilling and allow the land to be used for alternative energy research. This PBL investigates ecology, conservation, chemistry, and alternative energy. Groups will present their case with a poster and presentation.

Roy--Alligators and the Everglades **Larissa Roy--** With DisneyWorld on the line, students will have to prove their dedication to the wetlands project by creating their own conservation plan and the beginnings of an advertising campaign to create support for its implementation. This PBL is designed to investigate the natural flora and fauna of the Everglades, analyze what sorts of plans have already been in action, how abiotic factors (pollution, natural minerals, local landmasses, etc) need also be a concern, how humans must coexist. I would also have the students take home the understanding that they are also a part of the ecosystem rather than a force outside commanding and manipulating.

Strickley- Mass Fainting PBL **Mike Strickley**-- Students must help the CDC to find out what is causing mass faintings at rock concerts. Students use this webquest paired with outside research to evaluate the possibility of several factors being the cause of the faintings. At the end of the webquest, students must make a presentation to the class on whether or not a particular factor is the cause of the fainting.

Roome- Disaster vs Man Webquest- **Nic Roome** Students will research natural disasters to help a small town in Hawaii solve a crucial problem. Are the townspeople safe from major natural disasters and can build things to prevent damage. Or is the risk too great of a massive natural disaster that if one were to hit there would be no stopping it. Each person will be researching different things and combining the knowledge to inform the people with a visual presentation on what is the best thing to do. It can be a Power Point, poster board, video, or any other visual display.

[|Mocilan Endocrinology WebQuest]-**Stephanie Mocilan-**Student notices that the new kid in school-Bob Smith is looking a little creepy lately. No one else seems to see it, but there is definitely something wrong. Student goes on a quest to get to the bottom of Bob's symptoms to figure out what problem, if any Bob is suffering from. Student has to be very perceptive and make recommendations about what to do.