​Expert Teachers believe that all students can reach the success criteria! Hattie, (2012) advocates that finding a balance between focusing on a few key outcomes that relate to better teaching and learning is key to student and engagement. Although there are nine essential practices for improved outcomes,  one of these outcomes give us specific insight of ways that teachers can improve outcomes of students:

Greater student engagement and motivation
Here you will find research-based best practices that use Project-based learning as a way to encourage greater student engagement and motivation.
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What is Project-based Learning?
Project-based learning is a learning experience that teachers can create through relevant and important projects in which the solution affects students' families, communities, and their futures!


 Evidence-based Rationale for using Project-Based Learning as a a way to engage and motivate all students

Project-based learning can be used as a way to personalize learning and engage students who have various backgrounds and experiences. This approach serves as a social support since it models the acceptance of different cultures and experiences!I feel empowered to have learned of some ways to help learners develop meaningful connections beyond the classroom. Blackboard, (2015) has taught me of a few ways that synchronous collaboration transforms the learning experience to improve student engagement and success. Synchronous collaboration encourages collaborative learning and also opens doors to expand learning opportunities. This, according to Blackboard, (2015), is one way to ensure that learning can continue when students and teachers cannot come together face-to-face.  I can work to connect learners beyond the classroom by using technical tools such as virtual field trips or guest speakers on Skype to increase student engagement!  Utilizing these technological tools support project-based learning and social-emotional development because these tools give students the opportunity to work together over an extended period of time to create possible solutions for a problem. Furthermore, utilizing technological tools like discussion forums and Google documents, require students to work together, brainstorm, share and apply ideas. The convenience of digital learning allows students to engaging with peers and the teacher in real-time! This, according to Blackboard (2015),  instantly personalizes the learning experience as well.  Adobe Educate (2017)  also confirms that technology tools such as discussion forums and google classroom are effective tools for engaging Gen Z students in project-based learning.

Adobe Educate (2017) also helped me to understand that  Gen Z students learn best when:
Developing critical thinking skills
Building intellectual curiosity
Problem-solving
Team-building
The use of digital media
This highlights the importance of both collaborative learning & teaching in the Gen Z classroom. One way I plan to be a more connected educator is by collaborating with outside experts and guest speakers more often in order to provide more engaging and relevant lessons for all students!  Edutopia [Eduptopia]. (2016) reminds me that bringing in outside experts is one way take advantage of being a more connected learner. In fact, collaborating with other professionals models exactly what collaborative learning looks like; someone who possesses curiosity about the world is a life-long learner! (Liebtag, 2017)


Check out these resources that are packed with reinforcements and motivations for teachers! This will help you to create and maintain engaging and important projects and can serve as a reliable checklist and resource(s) for upcoming school years!

​References
Adobe Educate. (2017). Gen Z in the classroom. Creating the future. Retrieved from http://www.adobeeducate.com/genz/global-education-genz 

​Assisi, N. (2017, September 7). Little kids, big kids: Inspiring project-based learning. Retrieved from Http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/next_gen_learning/2017/09/little_kids_big_ideas_inspiring_project-based_learning.html

Blackboard.(2015).Five ways synchronous collaboration transforms learning. Retrieved from 
http://bbbb.blackboard.com/k12-five-ways-synchronous-collaboration-transforms-learning?s=web 

Edutopia [Eduptopia]. (2016, November 1). Solving real-world problems: Bringing authentic context to learning [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3IL0J3XMbA

Getting Smart. Retrieved from http://www,gettingsmart.com/2016/09/teaching-is-a-project-based-profession-10-pbl-teacher-mindsets/ 

Hattie, J. (2012). Visible Learning for teachers maximizing impact on learning. New York, NY: Routledge


 Liebtag, E. (2016). Teaching is a project-based profession: 10 PBL teacher mindsets.