Inquiry+&+Problem-Based+Internet+Resources


 * Although many teachers “do projects”, not all lead to student learning. Educators need guidance and resources in order plan rigorous and relevant standards-focused projects that engage students in authentic learning activities and teach 21st century skills. Below you will find a brief explanation of Problem-Based and Inquiry-Based learning, as well as five resources you can use to learn more about each, as well as implement each in your classroom. **

** What is Problem-Based Learning? ** Problem-based learning or Project-based learning (PBL) is a student-centered instructional strategy in which students collaboratively solve problems and reflect on their experiences. The PBL method challenges students to "learn to learn" by working collaboratively in groups to seek solutions to real world problems. These problems are used to engage students' curiosity and initiate learning the subject matter. PBL prepares students to think critically and analytically, and to find and use appropriate learning resources. Feel free to explore some of the resources found here:


 * CMap[[image:cmap.jpg width="160" height="97" align="right" link="@http://cmap.ihmc.us/"]] **
 * CMap is a free concept mapping tool that allows users to create graphical representations of information and form and plot connections between the information, ultimately making the learning more authentic and gaining new knowledge structures about certain topics.
 * Here is a collaborative group presentation my peers and I completed on the use of CMaps in educational settings.


 * Protagonize[[image:tecknowledgey/protagonize.jpg width="391" height="77" align="right" link="@http://www.protagonize.com/"]] **
 * Protagonize is a collaborative and interactive creative writing website that allows users to develop their own original stories, contribute to existing stories, discuss and refine their writing, style and techniques with others, and follow series of published writings.

**The Partnership for 21st** **Century Skills**
 * The Partnership for 21st Century Skills is a national organization that advocates for 21st century readiness for every student. Establishing and continually revising the key skills students need to thrive in today’s global economy, including problem solving and critical thinking skills, this website offers educators ample resources to better understand PBL learning, provides users with classroom lessons and activities, and direct links to state and national initiatives.


 * Pipes[[image:pipes.jpg width="205" height="105" align="right" link="@http://pipes.yahoo.com/pipes/"]] **
 * Pipes is a powerful composition tool that allows users to collect, manipulate, and mash-up content from around the web. Using simple commands, Pipes allow users to combine many feeds into one, sort and filter that content, and even grab the “output” of any other user’s Pipes as RSS, JSON, KML, and other formats.


 * Wordnik ** [[image:tecknowledgey/wordnik.jpg width="256" height="95" align="right" link="@http://www.wordnik.com/"]]
 * Wordnik.com is an online dictionary and language resource that provides dictionary and thesaurus content to users from print dictionaries such as the Century Dictionary and the American Heritage Dictionary. Wordnik shows definitions from multiple sources, so users can see as many different takes on a word's meaning as possible, including example sentences from major news media and books like the Wall Street Journal and USA Today, and lists of related words, images, and associated audio clips that enable users to form new meanings.