Use of the 5 C’s in the Classroom Helps to Engage Students
Project Based Learning: In choosing rubric design and criteria to guide students as they research, analyze, and present topics, remembering the best “Cs” in the classroom leads to learning, interesting discussion, and creative and affective product development. The Best “Cs”: Choice; Collaboration; Communication; Critical Thinking; and Creativity. It is totally amazing as an educator to see what students are capable of creating when they a) have choices in selecting topics and subtopics; b) in selecting critical thinking skills they will use to research, evaluate, and organize; c) choice in how they will create their means of communication prompted to develop new skills by working “outside the box” by trying new technological apps and programs; and d) a choice to collaborate with partners and to ask questions after presentations, creating interesting and high level classroom discussion.
Why Designed and Implemented:
To differentiate learning needs; to create guidelines students can select emphasizing student based presentations and classroom discussion; to use Project Based Learning in classrooms with variety; and to engage students through choice.
How it was Implemented:
1) Choice: students were asked to sort through a selected amount of material (chapters in the text; Unit topics; Current Events during a particular time period; a variety of Big Picture Questions, etc.)
2) Choice: They were given the Project Rubric and asked to write down their selected topic and to circle ideas or add their own; and to review the project requirements and choices given
3. Critical Thinking: Research time scheduled and a Presentation date assigned
4. Creativity: A variety of Presentation options were demonstrated by the instructor individually and during class to show options for developing a variety of presentations; examples: Google Slide on Google Drive; Prezi; Powtoons; Smore.com; various movie maker programs, etc.
5. Collaboration: Student’s present and answer other student’s questions; student’s note the questions and answers of other presenters on their rubric; discuss critical thinking skills used by other presenters; and reflect on their own presentation by noting their ultimate project choices.
Challenges or Obstacles:
- Meeting individual needs because of individual choices; creating a presentation schedule in a large classroom
Benefits and Successes:
- Student engagement because of choice
- Very creative products because of choice
- Critical thinking skills selected to guide research and presentation organization, resulting in interesting and high-level classroom discussion
- Variety in presentations because of emphasis on not using apps and programs that are usually chosen, but to expand skills and try new products.
Additional Information:
Click here for a project rubric
Click here for student examples
Submitted by: Karen Avery, Burris Laboratory School