Fiona On Fulbright 2014: Columbus Signature Academy, Fodrea -- A Project Based Learning School in Columbus, Indiana

We went out to Columbus, Indiana to visit an elementary school and a high school that does all their learning through Project Based Learning. Columbus Signature Academy is led by Dr Diane Clancy. All of the teachers are called 'facilitators' - students will talk about their 'facilitators' and the term 'teachers' isn't used. Their mission is to prepare socially engaged citizens who excel in an information and technology rich society. Here, students are empowered to seek answers and create solutions. There is a ballot system to get into this school, but the school must be representative of the local community so it is not all capable learners and high socioeconomic families who are represented. All have made a choice to be there, however.

BYOD started this year, but they also have in class a 2:1 ratio of Netbooks for grades 1 and 2 and all students from Grade 3 up have their own Netbook. Projects are chosen based on the interest of the students. Students have voice and choice in what is being learned, yet the state standards are included in all projects. Students are engaged in the learning because they are involved in the brainstorming of ideas, the voting on an idea and they then work in groups to carry out parts of the project they have selected to be involved in. Students do well in State Standardized tests because they have an authentic memory of doing a skill.

As part of the PBL, students have 'stations' in their classes that are literacy and numeracy based. All groups are heterogeneous, except their reading groups and their maths groups. For these stations, teachers differentiate the work according to the ability levels of the students. The morning stations are usually Maths and Language Arts focused and the afternoon stations are Social Studies and Science based. Facilitators plan the stations with a co-teacher, and students complete the stations in both classes. The school has been purpose built so that there is a large door that allows access between two classes. Every two days, new stations are presented to the students.

The up side is that students are highly engaged, become more confident, enjoy their learning and are doing well in State testing. There is no bullying; there is a culture of support and empathy for others. Students are eager to learn and see success. The only down side that I saw was that teachers are spending huge hours in their jobs. Some reported being at school at 7.30am and working until 10pm. I know dedication to your job is important, but it seems these teachers don't have a life outside of school. One even spoke about her buddy facilitator becoming her best friend and they catch up in the weekends. Teachers don't get paid well in the US, so to be working lawyers' hours and to get teachers' pay somehow doesn't sit well with me. Also, what about teachers own families? Great for the students, but just some red flags raised in my thinking.