[MUSIC] Hi, and welcome back to assessing achievement with the ELL in mind, and a warm welcome to module five. In the previous modules we looked in depth at various types of formative and summative assessments, as well as authentic assessments and grading with the ELL in mind. Module five discusses project based learning and assessment, and the ways in which it can benefit ELL's. Our first video in module five gives a brief overview of project based learning. Project based learning is a teaching methodology used to actively engage students in worthwhile learning activities within the classroom. This type of teaching methodology can provide authentic learning experiences for students within the classroom by using lessons, activities, and assessments that are applicable to real-life demands. Project based learning allows students to explore real world problems and challenges, while designing effective solutions. Why do we use project based learning? First and foremost, it's more engaging for students. As the projects or tasks are often innovative and exciting for the students. Project based learning offers deeper understanding of content as the students are not just memorizing something in the content area. But they are actually exploring a challenge or an issue within that content area. And really making an effort to understand it from a variety of perspectives. Project based learning prepares students with skills for real world application. It incorporates technology both in the design of the project or activity, and the student's display of the final product. Project based learning offers opportunities for authentic communication and language use within the content area, which is essential for our ELLs. And finally, project based learning promotes learner autonomy, in that it often presents students with a broad prompt, or a broad topic to research, and create something within that content area. John Thomas presents five criteria for project based learning. The first criteria is that projects are central to the curriculum and not peripheral to it. In other words, it's not something that is done at the end, but rather throughout the curriculum, either in a unit or a course. The second criteria for project based learning, is that learning is focused on questions or problems that drive students to encounter and struggle with the central concepts and principles of a discipline. Again, we're tapping into that very deep critical knowledge of a content area, which can often present struggles. But through acknowledging and working within those struggles, students can encounter deep understanding. The third criteria of project based learning, is that projects involve students in a constructive investigation. They have unique opportunities to develop a plan for research, and then delve into discovery. The fourth is that projects are student-driven to some significant degree. Students drive the investigation and the creation of a project, based on their own interests, knowledge, and questions. And the final criteria for project based learning is that projects are realistic, and not necessarily school-like. They have real life applicability. All of these criteria are important for our ELLs, as we continually try to encourage them to use language in authentic and real world situations as they master content. In the next video, we will take a look at project based assessment, and how that benefits our ELLS.