PBL T3 Wk 9

​Project Based Learning (PBL) is a wonderful new addition to the Year 8-10 programme at SPC this year.  Project Based Learning involves a dynamic classroom approach and encourages students to develop a deeper knowledge and understanding for learning through active exploration of real-world challenges and problems. However, this exciting new learning is not all about students having the most amazing product, presentation or exhibition at the the end. It is all about the learning process and the new skills students learn along the way such as how to be reflective learners, think critically, problem solve, plan, communicate and feel okay with making mistakes and that we can learn from these mistakes.
Some of the biggest highlights for me so far are:
· seeing the engagement students have for their project, 
· seeing students negotiate and make comprises within their groups, 
· that just like the students in my class, I am learning too. 
· We are all ako on this PBL journey and that is pretty exciting.
Kate Sinclair
 
Bridgette Shaw and Donna Buren’s Project - Year 10
Donna and I first started to collaborate because of our Pacific Island heritage.  Donna is from Kiribati and found it hard easing into the community because of the language barrier, as did my grandmother who is from Papua New Guinea. After much thought we came up with the idea of a translation book for Island languages, so it’s very personal to us.  At first, we had a large variety of languages but after a chat with the teacher we narrowed it down to five. We specifically decided on these languages because of their relationship with the surrounding community.  We also observed the Cultural Festival and made a list of all the cultures there. Our language list consists of Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga, Samoa and Papua New Guinea.  Our goal is to translate basic phrases and sayings from those languages to English to enable an easier adjustment for people from those cultures. Something that I’ve learnt is the diversity of all the languages – they’re so very different from English.  For example in Kiribati there is one word for “my name is” and in English that’s three words and I found that interesting. I’m hoping to learn more about the cultures of the language and what slang people don’t understand. We are the next Generation and we are ready.
 
Nicholas Roy, Albert Dennison and Josh Davers  -Year 10
This term Albert Dennison, Josh Davers and I have been working on doing up an old single axel trailer at Albert’s house for project-based learning. We found the trailer abandoned so we decided to use it for our project.  When this trailer is completed it will be used to tow the St Peter’s Rugby Club scoreboard (a project that another group is doing) around the fields. We are only two weeks into the practical side of this project as we had to do plenty of planning and organising to actually begin. So far, we have learnt to be realistic with what is achievable, as well as learning practical skills with tools. We really enjoy project-based learning as we can get out and learn in a different more hands on way and it’s also rewarding to see our project coming along nicely.
 

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