Designing PBL to Decrease Cognitive Load Blog Post

In my last article, I described how deeper learning functions as a solution for distraction. But this week, I want to address one of the very real challenges of deeper learning systems, like project-based learning and inquiry-based learning. In particular, what about the problem with…

Why Focused Work Has Become an Essential Skill in a Distracted World Blog Post

It’s no secret that students are distracted. When I conduct workshops and deliver keynotes, I like to ask teachers about their successes and their current challenges. Overwhelmingly, teachers describe the challenge of teaching to a distracted generation of students. I see a similar pattern when…

Making the Most of Community Partnerships in PBL Blog Post

In PBL, we often think about the role of a public product. However, community involvement is actually something we can embed into every area of the PBL process. In this week’s article and podcast, we take a deep dive into how we can make this…

Keynote and Workshops on AI and Machine Learning Page

Intentional and Ethical AI Integration Subscribe to My Channel The A.I. Revolution is here. But actually, it's less of a revolution and more of an evolution. A.I. is what happens any time we use algorithms for things we typically do as humans. You've probably heard...

Teaching that changes lives Page

Embrace Your Maker MindsetHelping K-12 teachers unleash the power of creativity through project-based learning & design thinking Get your PBL blueprint Read more about John Hi, I'm John. This is my promise to you. As a former middle school teacher and current full-time professor and...

Promoting Academic Integrity in the Age of Generative AI Blog Post

We often talk about the need for students to have voice and choice in their learning. We want them to engage in meaningful, productive struggle as they do projects and engage in problem-solving. But where does AI fit into this? In past articles, we've explored...

Using AI to Bridge the Gap from Theory to Practice Blog Post

It’s easy to get dismissive about educational theory. I’ve heard teachers say “Don’t bother with the theory. Just focus on practical strategies.” But when done well, theory can provide a roadmap and framework we can use. It can be a nuanced dialogue that cuts to…

Making Time for Project-Based Learning (PBL) Blog Post

When I was in my second year of teacher, I wanted so badly to implement PBL. This, despite the fact that I didn’t know the term “project-based learning.” I simply knew that I wanted students to engage in meaningful projects where they learn the content…