Project Based Learning: Using Trello

Open the class discussion with: What is Project Based Learning?  According to the website PBLWorks, "Project based learning is a teaching method in which students learn by actively engaging in real-world and personally meaningful projects."

Students pair up and brainstorm a list of projects or topics they would be interested in learning about.

For the next four weeks students will work in small groups researching and presenting about a topic they are interested in. Here is a list of 12 areas of possible project topics generated by ChatGPT. (student pairs are gathered in groups of four) Read through these topics and the topics that were put on the board earlier. Select the ones you want the class to explore. Students can also generate a new topic as they discuss together.

1. Financial Literacy:
Research the steps for budgeting. Create an example budget and financial plan.
2. Health and Wellness:
Develop a fitness and nutrition plan.
Research a common health concern in the community.
3. Career Development:
How does one decide on a career? Create a strategy and set a professional goals.
Research and develop effective job search strategies.
4. Community Issues:
Identify and propose solutions for local community challenges.
Address environmental concerns or promote sustainability.
5. Digital Literacy:
Explore online safety and privacy in the digital age.
Research how to develop skills for effective online collaboration and communication.
6. Civic Engagement:
Research local government structures and civic responsibilities.
Initiate a community project to address a civic issue.
7. Cultural Competence:
Investigate and promote cultural awareness in a diverse community.
Develop strategies for fostering inclusivity and understanding.
8. Technology in Daily Life:
Explore the impact of technology on daily routines and relationships.
Address challenges related to digital overload and addiction.
9. Family Dynamics:
Address common family challenges and conflicts.
Develop effective communication strategies within families.
10. Global Issues:
Analyze and propose solutions for global challenges (e.g., climate change, poverty).
Research and present the impact of global events on local communities.
11. Legal Literacy:
Explore basic legal rights and responsibilities.
Address common legal issues faced by individuals.
12. Entrepreneurship:
Develop a business plan for a small entrepreneurial venture.
Address challenges and opportunities in local business environments.

Look back at the definition used earlier. Important elements include:

• Real-world Revelance. The project selected should reflect what is happening in our world today and connect to students' lives.
• There should be a question that drives the project--a problem or challenge to solve.
• The work is done as a team.
• One of the strengths of PBL is that is gives students the opportunity to learn the necessary soft skills used in the workplace. These skills include, communication, teamwork, and critical thinking.
• Students conduct research to gather information and evaluate that information as factual and relevant.
• The project involves planning and organization. For this step students will use Trello, an organizational and team tool.
• Students learn how to manage the work, reporting back to each other, assembling information and using time effectively.
• Teams decide together on the method of sharing the research/outcome of their project. Will they create a website? oral presentation? infographic? game? who will be the audience? class? other classes? school? public?
• The project will include sharing current efforts for teacher and other teammates' feedback. 
• Students join in creating a rubric to assess the content, delivery and process.
• Reflection: what was learned about the topic? what was learned through the PBL process? What insights for outside the classroom?

As a group go through the elements of PBS. Develop questions to discuss together or with the class.

As a class, create a PBL rubric for the class project. Every element of PBL that was mentioned is not requried. What elements do you want to evaluate in the rubric? What will you look for to demonstrate completion? 

In the individual groups:

1. decide on group roles--there are more roles than people, some people will take on more than one role or some roles may not applicable to the group
   1. facilitator or leader: keeps group on task and makes sure all members are contributing
   2. recorder: takes notes, writes on the Trello card, moves the card--writes a final summary
   3. reporter: reports back to larger group, will give final presenation if it is oral-- or the final presentation may be shared by the whole group
   4. researcher: finds sites of valid information, shares sites with group members, assists in summary writing
   5. timer: keeps track of time/date assisting in moving the assignment forward
   6. IT guru in charge of all things technology, creating slide presentation, organizing the equipment for the presentation, etc
2. As a group, decide on project to be done. Create steps. 

Share with the Class the Trello program to help organize the project. You can use the tutorial with the class or just demonstrate, Trello Tutorial: Your ultimate guide to getting started wih Trello.

Go over the steps of the project: In the Quarter Project, all steps are discussed in the Read Me Links on each card. All group projects will be tracked on the same Trello board, each group moving their Project Card from one step to another, as they finish the step.

PROJECT STEPS

1. Project Overview- select Project Introduction Read Me for How To
2. Brainstorm--select Brainstorm Read Me for How To
3. Research-select Research Read Me for How To
4. Rough Draft-select Rough Draft Read Me for How To
5. Final Draft-delect Rough Draft Read Me for How To
6. Presentation-select Rough Draft Read Me for How To

As groups, students go to Trello to get an account.

Share with them the link to the Class Trello Project Board.

As a group access class Trello board. 

Create and add group card.

As each step is accomplished move the card forward on the board.

When the Project Based Learning is complete, each group presents their project whether it is a slide presentation, infographic, website etc.

Students evaluate each group project using the rubric created by the class.

Discuss the use of Trello. Did it help keep track of the project? How? How else could Trello be used?

Consider PBL. Discuss as a group the pros and cons. Share as a class.

As a class design a second project using PBL.

Consider Trello. How could it be used in the class. Discuss ways to use it in each group. Share with class.

Expand use outside the classroom. How could this be used?