Harvard Project Zero Classroom, and Future of Learning

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Comment by Connie Weber on December 12, 2008 at 5:06pm

Just off the press! Here's the news about this summer's programs, and the link for registration.

For me, this was the best professional development of my life, clearly above all. And with more than 30 years in education, that's saying a lot! What's interesting is that everyone I have talked to who went to Project Zero (as a participant or faculty member) says the same.

About the Institutes

The Project Zero Classroom (PZC)
July 27-August 1, 2009
The institute is designed to help educators create classrooms,
instructional materials, and out-of-school learning environments that
promote students' efforts to understand important content; recognize and
develop students' multiple intellectual strengths; encourage students to
think critically and creatively; and assess student work in ways that
further the learning. In addition to K-12 educators and administrators,
pre-school teachers, teacher educators, and museum educators are also
encouraged to attend.

The Future of Learning (FoL)
August 4-7, 2009
The institute is designed to help educators prepare children for the world
of tomorrow. Participants learn how issues such as globalization, the
digital revolution, and advances in neuroscience are transforming
teaching, learning, and curriculum; understand what topics and skills
matter most for students; how new digital technologies can be used to
support learning, creativity, and human development; and how neuroscience
can inform teaching and assessment. The institute is designed for
educators working in teaching, curriculum and instructional material
development, informal education settings, professional development, and
leadership. Those who have previously attended the PZC institute are
encouraged to attend.

Comment by Jim Reese on December 10, 2008 at 12:24pm

Here is the website address for the Project Zero Classroom summer institute:
http://gseweb.harvard.edu/~ppe/k12/programs/pz.html

You can request a brochure on the site. If you go to "Programs" on the left-hand side of the page, you can see other institutes the Harvard Graduate School of Education is sponsoring.

Registration for the PZC should be open in the next week or so.
Jim

Comment by Connie Weber on December 10, 2008 at 7:17am

This summer:


July 27th-August 1st: Project Zero.

Hopefully we can get some news about the new summer institute, "The Future of Learning" up here soon, too! Very exciting.

Comment by Connie Weber on December 10, 2008 at 7:12am

"Project Zero is Forty"

Here's a pdf file about about PZ's latest research : Artful Thinking, Cultures of Thinking, GoodWork, Interdisciplinary Studies, Learning from Museum Study Centers, Learning Innovations Laboratory, Making Learning Visible.. and more!

PZis40.pdf

Comment by Mary K. Marjerrison on November 16, 2008 at 4:22am

In response to Janet and Jim, I found the feedback tool valuable in my observation, and have modified it for use with colleagues as a professional development tool in my new position. I feel that it provided enough of a framework to guide deep reflection. At PZSI, it was difficult to find the time for follow-up, and in the end we did it via email. It would have been wonderful if we'd had on-the-spot time for shared reflection. I was impressed by how Janet (Field)'s minicourse was so beautifully aligned with the feedback tool; what a master teacher!

Later today, in a separate message in the check-in forum, I will share my reflections on a week at Reggio Emilia with the Documentation and Listening study group. I am still flying high!!

Comment by Janet Navarro on October 28, 2008 at 8:57pm

Yes, it seems that Institute 2008 was successful in some vague faraway place of recollection, but in reality, some of it had been packed away with my sleeveless blouses and linen shorts. Yet, now that you mention it -- I do recall something about feedback ; ). I did use the ongoing assessment tool to provide some feedback to a mini course instructor and it was used to give me and my co-instructor some.

In both cases, I found that it was a useful tool to structure the observation and the conversation that followed. For me, especially in using the tool to provide feedback, I found that it provided a reasonable starting point. It helped me to ensure that something of substance would be discussed and it kept me from "bird walking" in and out of topics that were not necessarily helpful to talk about. But in the end, I fell back on the "writing conference" model talked about by Lucy Calkins. The first part of the conversation was about finding out how the individual thought it went and why. The second main phase was me deciding what, out of all the things I paid attention to, were the most important to talk about given where she was. The third was talking about it together in ways that went back to the feedback protocol and left it so we could talk about things that were not represented there.

As for getting feedback -- I learned that saving real time for such endeavors at PZ can be difficult and that it should be done, because it is well worth the time.

In the end, what I valued most was the amazing depth of understanding that my PZ colleagues have and are willing to share. The idea of a culture or a community in which ideas can be shared equally among dedicated colleagues for the betterment of each others practice(s) is a most amazing and, to me, treasured opportunity that I look forward to continuing here.

Comment by Jim Reese on October 28, 2008 at 3:29pm

Hello, all--
It's taken me a while to get online with you, but am thrilled to be here. Kudos to Connie for setting up this wonderful forum.

The PZC 2008 was a grand success, from what I could see, and the participants and faculty were top-notch. A highlight for me at the institute was being able to use an ongoing assessment tool for giving feedback to mini course leaders. Did anyone else use the tool or get feedback?
Cheers,
Jim

Comment by Connie Weber on August 8, 2008 at 1:41pm

excellent directions for using a ning, by Linda Gibbs

Comment by Rod Rock on August 7, 2008 at 5:29pm

I loved PZC08 and look forward to these ongoing discussions!

Comment by Connie Weber on August 3, 2008 at 8:52am

Look at photos coming up, tagged "PZ"
Add some of your own--and anyone who has comments or wants to add information to the photos, leave a comment by the photo.

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