DESIGNING PBLs

Turn activity into authentic problem solving with the 6 Ps of PBL.

Quick facts

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Format

Facilitated cohort plus self-paced modules

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Time

25 hours total

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Certificate

Yes

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Price

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Agency by Design:

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Agency by Design:

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Agency by Design:

Why this VLC

Worksheets do not raise rigor or ownership. In this VLC you will design a learner-active PBL unit that creates a felt need to learn and transfers responsibility to students. You will leave with structures you can implement right away.

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Agency by Design:

replace tasks with authentic problems and give learners real decisions to make.

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Structures First:

time, resources, choice, and feedback systems that transfer responsibility to the learner.

Who it is for

Teachers and instructional coaches ready to build authentic, problem-based units

Structures First:

School and district leaders aligning PD with classroom routines and results

Executive Function for All:

Corporate and government training teams adapting problem-based design to real-world performance

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Evidence of Learning:

use student work to guide the next move, not just to record a grade.

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Human and Tech Together:

tools serve the design, not the other way around.

Professional Learning That Puts Learners in Charge

Great teaching is design. Our Professional Learning Experiences help teams create learner-active environments where people own the work, build executive function, and solve authentic problems.

What you will gain

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Replace tasks with purpose-driven problems

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Build structures for choice, time, and resources learners can manage

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Coach executive function skills that drive results

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Use evidence of learning to adjust in real time

What you will be able to do

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Frame authentic, open-ended problems that spark a felt need to learn

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Apply the 6 Ps of PBL: place, problem, project, profession, phenomena, pursuit

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Build analytic rubrics that clarify expectations and guide instruction

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Design differentiated activity lists that students can manage independently

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Facilitate with questions, cues, and routines that keep learners thinking

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Use evidence of learning to adjust next steps in real time

Syllabus snapshot

  • RIGOR, ENGAGEMENT, AND RESPONSIBILITY WORK TOGETHER

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    Takeaway: See how raising rigor, engaging students, and building responsibility align in one design.

  • THE 6 PS OF PBL

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    Takeaway: Choose the right anchor context using place, problem, project, profession, phenomena, or pursuit.

  • WRITE AUTHENTIC, OPEN-ENDED PROBLEM TASKS

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    Takeaway: Create a felt need to learn that drives student agency.

  • BUILD ANALYTIC RUBRICS

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    Takeaway: Clarify expectations and guide daily instruction while adding stretch for advanced learners.

  • DESIGN THE SCAFFOLD FOR LEARNING

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    Takeaway: Develop rich and diverse activities for differentiation and practice that students can manage.

  • ADD SUPPORTING STRUCTURES

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    Takeaway list:

     • Formative assessments that drive planning

     • Facilitation questions that probe higher-order thinking

     • A facilitation grid to organize ongoing support

Course materials and access

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Required text: Participants use Students Taking Charge by Dr. Nancy Sulla. Please purchase the book in advance.

Included access: MyQPortal  access is included for all participants while enrolled in the VLC.

Evidence and impact

The rubric and activity scaffold made daily instruction clearer and faster to adjust.
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Our students took ownership of the problem and stayed engaged from launch to presentation.
The rubric and activity scaffold made daily instruction clearer and faster to adjust.
Our students took ownership of the problem and stayed engaged from launch to presentation.
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Related Resources

Six colorful book covers by Nancy Sulla about classroom instruction and student taking charge

Dr. Nancy Sulla Books

Unlock Educational Success with Dr. Sulla’s Books

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MyQPortal

The Pathway to Student-Driven Learning!

Open MyQPortal

FAQs

  • HOW MUCH TIME WILL I NEED

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    Plan for 25 hours total including self-paced work and scheduled sessions.

  • CAN OUR TEAM ENROLL TOGETHER

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    Yes. Seat bundles are available. Price:

    VLC PRICE LINE

  • DO I GET A CERTIFICATE

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    Yes. You will receive a certificate noting contact hours and outcomes.

  • WILL THIS ALIGN TO OUR STANDARDS AND PACING

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    Yes. You will design your task, rubric, and scaffold against your standards and schedule.

  • DO I NEED THE BOOK

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    Yes. Students Taking Charge is a required resource for this VLC.

Get Started with Designing PBLs

PO accepted. Seat bundles available.