Project Based Learning: An Interview with Danielle Hicks [S6 E191]

Listen to the full episode below:

Do you enjoy assigning projects in your class, but have found that small group projects come with a whole new set of challenges? Whole-class projects may be your answer. Our guest today, Danielle Hicks, has found great success with whole-class engagement projects and is here to share about her experience.

If the thought of one big giant project brings immediate overwhelm, stick with us. Sometimes veering away from traditional approaches is exactly what we need to spark creativity and collaboration among our students! In this episode you’ll hear how this type of group learning is also personalized, the results Danielle has seen from whole-class projects, and how you can get started.

Meet Danielle:

Danielle is a high school teacher in Northern Virginia. She has taught grades 9-12. She came to teaching in 2008 as a career switcher. Danielle is here to help you get closer to the ideal version of your teacher-self; the one that enjoys their time in the classroom, thrives on efficient systems, and leaves their work (at least for the most part) at work.

Topics Discussed:

  • What led Danielle to implement whole class assignments

  • An example of a whole-class project that Danielle did with her students

  • How she assigns roles to each student (and what role Danielle plays)

  • Creating a rubric with your students

  • The ‘why’ behind doing whole-group units

  • Incorporating an authentic audience into your projects

  • Where whole-group projects fit into the UDL (Universal Design for Learning) model

Resources Mentioned:

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More about Brave New Teaching:

Join hosts Amanda Cardenas (Mud & Ink Teaching) and Marie Morris (The Caffeinated Classroom) in discussions about being brave, trying new things, and all things teaching! As seasoned classroom teachers, Amanda and Marie bring their experience, insight, energy, and oh, so many opinions and ideas... It's time for all teachers to take their classroom and teaching practice into their own hands!

Tune in on your favorite podcast apps like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher.

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