Place Based Education
Place-Based Education (PBE) is anytime, anywhere learning that leverages the power of place, and learning space – not just the power of technology – to personalize learning. We’ve recently released a new book, The Power of Place: Authentic Learning Through Place-Based Education, which focuses on how PBE is an immersive learning experience that “places students in local heritage, cultures, landscapes, opportunities and experiences, using these as a foundation for the study of language arts, mathematics, social studies, science and other subjects across the curriculum.” PBE is also a natural complement to Personalized and Project-Based Learning, providing a way to connect these efforts to students’ local environment for engaging learning that leads to more engaged citizens.
6 Phases of Professional, Place-Based Learning
By Nate McClennen - The transition to place-based education takes learning on the part of teachers, and thoughtful implementation on the part of leaders. Here are the six steps we use to make sure it's successful.
What is Place-Based Education and Why Does it Matter?
As part of a three-part series sharing information and experiences we've gathered from dozens of contributors around the power of Place-Based Education (PBE), this first publication provides an overview of PBE including definitions, benefits and examples.
Preparing #LifeReady Students: Creating a Globally-Sourced, Locally-Relevant Curriculum
By: Eric Davis, Aparna Rae and Stephanie Leite. Our organization is working hard to prepare #LifeReady global citizens through place-based (and project-based) learning. In this post, we take a look at how we're doing it.
Students Share Their Perspectives on Place-Based Learning
By: Nate McClennen. Student voice is important to include in the place-based education conversation, so here are responses from a group of middle school students in Wyoming and Idaho who were asked, “What are the benefits of place-based education?”
Resources and Quotes on the Power of Place
By: Jeffrey Partridge. A lot has been written about place-based education. Here, I compile some of my favorite resources and quotes on the subject from a wide range of literature applicable to a broad audience.
Increase Student Motivation through Autonomy, Mastery and Purpose
By: Victoria Rydberg. Students are at their best when they have purpose and are contributing value. Place-based education can give students the autonomy, mastery and purpose to stay motivated and make meaningful community contributions.
Every Place is Special or No Place is Special
By: Anna Luhrmann. "Every Place is Special or No Place is Special" is an easy mantra to believe when you're teaching in a national park, but when I first taught PBE in rural Wyoming it became a lot harder. Here's what I learned.
Transcend the Classroom with Virtual Place-Based Learning
By: Louis Pienaar. Simulation-based learning allows my students to learn in a highly immersive environment that reflects aspects of the real world, encouraging deeper learning of cross-curricular skills and concepts.
Teacher Reflection | The Power of Place-Based Professional Learning
By: Helen Ommen. I'm comfortable teaching inquiry-based lessons, but I have always felt less secure letting students ask and pursue their own questions. That all changed after my place-based professional learning experience.
10 Big Ideas We Are Learning Through Our High School Internships
By: Kemberly Garcia and Iris Ramirez. Beginning in 9th grade, students at Big Picture Learning schools experience place-based education twice a week through internship opportunities. Here, two students share their experiences.