PBL+-+Positive+Internship+Activity

====As a professional, I work in Duncanville ISD in Duncanville, TX. I teach 8th Grade Special Education Functional Academic Skills Training (FAST). I have taught special education for 15 years in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade, and in classrooms as varied as Content Mastery, Inclusion, Emotionally Disturbed, Autism, Resource, Self-Contained, and FAST. I originally began this program to address the technology needs of special needs students and other diverse populations. As I have worked my way through this program, I have seen needs beyond technology. Leadership is a major influence on the success of any program or project. I worked through many activities that emphasized this point, but Problem Based Learning probably emphasized this point most directly.==== ====One of the most helpful campus-supervised activities that I completed was the Problem based Learning (PBL) training that I completed through the district. The PBL training and implementation is a district mandate, so the training was extensive. The district presented a week long summer workshop, then additional follow-up trainings throughout the year, as well as campus wide trainings for integration into the classroom. This program helps teachers learn to plan and implement student-centered lessons that use critical thinking and problem solving skills. The program is designed to teach students how to be self-learners. A true PBL presents the problem and allows the student to solve the problem through their own thinking. They get to decide how to solve the problem. This type of program uses technology and other resources extensively, and is relevant and engaging to the student. It uses higher order thinking skills and is effective with the diverse learner. It also promotes collaborative learning, and does not teach subjects in isolation. Learning is no longer limited to English, Math, Science, or Social Studies.==== ====After completing the training, it became clear how important teacher collaboration and professional learning communities were to a successful program. This program no longer allows teachers to teach in isolation since the subjects are no longer taught in isolation. A strong leader is needed to guide the campus in the direction needed to be successful in this program. Overall, I feel that this activity will greatly impact both the way I teach, and the way I lead. Problem based learning is a program to help teach our students, but it is also a way for teachers to continue to learn, as well. The leadership needed for a successful program will listen to the needs and ideas of those involved and help to find the answers along the way.====