The phrase 'taking a left turn' is
shorthand code between me and my kids. It comes from the road that leads out
from our favorite pizza place. Taking a right turn leads onto the main road and
home. It is predictable and safe. Taking a left turn leads to . . .
the unknown.
Several times as we were leaving the pizza joint, someone in the car would look at that mysterious road running under the trees, and say, "I wonder where that goes?"
Because we all abound with curiosity, we eventually did turn left, at my daughter's suggestion, just to see what was down that road. We had a full tank of gas and no one expected us any place for several hours. All of my children and I have been blessed with excellent senses of direction, so we weren't worried about getting lost.
It doesn't matter what was down that road or how long it took us to finally wander home. The point is that we rambled off the known path and didn't worry about the details, and along the way we discovered some pretty cool things.
Now when one of us suggests 'taking a left turn', the rest of us know that we aren't necessarily talking about a road. 'Taking a left turn' can apply to anything where we don't know exactly where we'll end up but we're willing to take the chance to find out.
I've been asked by several people in various classes this summer about how to get started implementing PBL in a classroom. My response is 'take a left turn'.
Starting PBL classes isn’t so much about what you actually do, but more about your mental framework and willingness to take risks.
Several times as we were leaving the pizza joint, someone in the car would look at that mysterious road running under the trees, and say, "I wonder where that goes?"
Because we all abound with curiosity, we eventually did turn left, at my daughter's suggestion, just to see what was down that road. We had a full tank of gas and no one expected us any place for several hours. All of my children and I have been blessed with excellent senses of direction, so we weren't worried about getting lost.
It doesn't matter what was down that road or how long it took us to finally wander home. The point is that we rambled off the known path and didn't worry about the details, and along the way we discovered some pretty cool things.
Now when one of us suggests 'taking a left turn', the rest of us know that we aren't necessarily talking about a road. 'Taking a left turn' can apply to anything where we don't know exactly where we'll end up but we're willing to take the chance to find out.
I've been asked by several people in various classes this summer about how to get started implementing PBL in a classroom. My response is 'take a left turn'.
Starting PBL classes isn’t so much about what you actually do, but more about your mental framework and willingness to take risks.
Don't worry that you don't know exactly
where you're going. Trust that your sense of direction won't let you get lost.
Make sure your tank is full with all the resources you might need. Tell your administration
not to expect you any time soon. Let your students suggest alternate paths and
everyone keep their eyes open for the cool things to be discovered along the
way. In PBL, the journey is everything.
Over the years, my kids and I have taken many left turns. We've discovered some amazing things and learned things that we wouldn't have if we'd kept to the safe and predictable. We've never gotten lost and we've never regretted 'turning left'.
Over the years, my kids and I have taken many left turns. We've discovered some amazing things and learned things that we wouldn't have if we'd kept to the safe and predictable. We've never gotten lost and we've never regretted 'turning left'.
Once you start your PBL journey, you’ll
never regret turning down that road.
