Challenge Based Learning Webinar

This Apple Seminar was about Challenge Based Learning, using technology to create solutions to a meaningful problem. Students in K-12 and college classes were given iPads or MacBooks and a "big idea" challenge to solve. They worked in teams and found solutions not always anticipated by teachers and the school. Some ways they used technology to solve their problem were:

using organization apps to get started and make assignments,
sharing docs online,
interviews on an iPhone with simultaneous recording on iPad,
or sharing a phone conversation with a group using the speaker feature on the phone, and
creating and sharing stories, images and videos on website mobile galleries, online communities and blogs.

Not surprisingly important teacher skills included:

good at digital media and internet use
strong subject knowledge
good CBL knowledge and an ability to manage a classroom where students were working on all kinds of projects and levels at once.
video editing, audio and image editing, CBL training

Results - in all projects teachers and students report increased engagement in learning, better competency acquisition and a willingness to do it again. Students reported more satisfaction when they got to choose their own group and when assignments were made according to the strengths of each team member. My opinion: this makes sense, but the challenge of social inclusion and developing a range of skill in individual students remain... and it sure is nice when you can give each student an iPad or Macbook!

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Kamehameha Schools Distance Learning (KSDL) Owau

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