Practical PBL Strategies BAM Radio Network

In this episode, our guest shares a proven model and shortcut for any teacher who is considering PBL but may be hesitant or overwhelmed. Join us as we introduce and discuss a simple framework.

Follow on Twitter: @JorgeDoesPBL @Rdene915 @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd @Definedlearning

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Jorge Valenzuela (@JorgeDoesPBL) is an education coach, author and advocate. He has years of experience as a classroom and online teacher, a curriculum specialist and a consultant. His work focuses on improving teacher preparation in project-based learning, computational thinking and computer science integration, STEM education, and equity and SEL integration. Valenzuela is an adjunct professor at Old Dominion University and the lead coach at Lifelong Learning Defined. His book Rev Up Robotics and its companion jump start guide Ready, Set, Robotics! are available from ISTE, and his next book, which dives deeper into the Equity and SEL Integration Framework, is forthcoming from Solution Tree.

This conversation is timely as the ongoing pandemic makes it increasingly challenging to keep students interested in learning and actively involved in the process.  Our guests share a strategy they call the Expert Effect, which we can combine with PBL, STEM, and virtually any subject to get and keep students excited about learning during this unusual school term.

Follow on Twitter: @MrRondot  @Gmckinney2 @Rdene915 @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd @Definedlearning

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Zach Rondot is a passionate fourth-grade teacher in Troy, Michigan. His mission is to teach students the 21st-century skills, mindsets, and attributes that will help them succeed long after they leave his classroom. In 2019, Zach was named the Troy School District Elementary Teacher of the Year and the Oakland County Elementary Teacher of the Year. Zach is an instructor in the Master’s program of Learning, Design, and Technology at Central Michigan University. He utilizes technology to create learning opportunities that otherwise would not be possible

Grayson McKinney is a fifth-grade teacher from Michigan and a leader in the area of innovative teaching and learning. He has worked with learners at all levels of school from K-6 as a teacher, technology facilitator, and as a program administrator. He is a student podcaster, educational writer, and speaker on the topic of 21st-century student learning and engagement.

Zach and Grayson are the co-authors of the newly released book, The Expert Effect: A Three-Part System to Break Down the Walls of your Classroom and Connect your Students to the World which was recently released by Edumatch Publishing.

Many, maybe even most, students see school as a grade game. "What do I have to do to get an A?" Many of us have been driven to see teaching as a compliance game. "What do I have to do to get my students to meet the course requirements?"  In this episode, we talk about practical strategies we can use to change the game of school (at the classroom level) to cultivate more students who are passionate about learning in your class.

Follow on Twitter: @DWettrick  @Rdene915 @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd @Definedlearning

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Don Wettrick is the founder of The STARTedUP Foundation, which hosts Innovate WithIN- Indiana's innovation and entrepreneurship programming and competition. He is also the author of “Pure Genius: Building a Culture of Innovation,” which aims to create innovation mindsets in our schools. Don is known for his award-winning work as a middle school and high school teacher; educational and innovation consultant; and educational speaker.

Teaching pandemic distracted students has made it more important than ever to create lessons that spark students' imagination, curiosity, and interest at the deepest levels. In this episode, our guest explains how epic, practical,  and personally relevant lessons are moving her students from distracted to inspired, engaged, and enthusiastic learners.

Follow on Twitter: @kyndra_johnson @Rdene915 @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd@Definedlearning

Kyndra Johnson is the executive director of STEM and Innovation at Richardson Independent School District. She is responsible for developing, planning, managing, supporting, organizing, and implementing the STEM programs within the schools and providing leadership for District-wide initiatives for STEM.

What are the easiest, simplest, and most effective ways to teach STEM subjects during the pandemic? Listen in as our guest shares practical PBL strategies we can use to reduce our workload while making instruction more meaningful and relevant to our students.


Follow on Twitter: @DrJacieMaslyk @Rdene915 @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd@Definedlearning



An educator for the last 22 years, Dr. Jacie Maslyk, has served as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, elementary principal, and assistant superintendent. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) and a Master’s Degree in Instructional Leadership from Robert Morris University. Her doctorate was earned in curriculum and instruction, also from IUP.


Jacie has published numerous articles on topics like principal leadership, designing effective interventions, and leading STEAM and Making in schools. She is the author of STEAM Makers: Fostering Creativity and Innovation in the Elementary Classroom, Connect to Lead: Power Up Your Learning Network to Move Your School Forward, Remake Literacy: Innovative Instructional Strategies for Maker Learning, Unlock Creativity: Opening a World of Imagination With Your Students, and All In: Taking a Gamble in Education. Jacie is a featured blogger with Demco, Defined STEM, and Education Closet, as well as maintaining her own blog, Creativity in the Making at www.jaciemaslyk.blogspot.com .

Why do we need to improve our process of assessing student learning in a PBL context and how can we tweak our assessment practices in the middle of a school term?

Follow on Twitter: @RossCoops31 @Rdene915 @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd @Definedlearning

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Ross Cooper is currently an administrator in the Chappaqua Central School District. Previously, he was an Elementary School Principal, K-12 curriculum supervisor, Elementary Assistant Principal, and fourth-grade teacher. He is an Apple Distinguished Educator and a Google Certified Innovator. As a nationally recognized leader in project based learning, he has worked with thousands of educators across the country to implement PBL, and in 2016 he coauthored Hacking Project Based Learning: 10 Easy Steps to PBL and Inquiry in the Classroom. While his day job is his first professional priority, he finds time to conduct workshops and speak on project based learning, inquiry-based learning, student-centered learning, instructional leadership, his professional experiences, and more. He blogs at rosscoop31.com, and you can connect with him via email, RossCoops31@gmail.com,