Leveraging Technology to Engage Students in Meaningful Career-Focused Learning

After 12 years of teaching in Florida’s public school system, Brian Tupper’s principal let him know he was considered a “non-fiction reading teacher”, rather than a World Cultures and Geography teacher. Frustrated with the educational system, Tupper […]

Defined Announces Computer Science Curriculum Solution for K-12 Schools

Defined launches new computer science curriculum resources to create opportunities and expand career pathways for all students.

CHICAGO, IL (Tuesday, July 20, 2022) — Defined, the leading online provider of project-based learning (PBL) curricula […]

One District's Approach to Transitioning to an Integrated Approach Through PBL

The motto for the Westminster School District is “Building Tomorrow’s Leaders Today.” This motto frames the work of all-district teams, including the Department of Educational Services. “Our goals are firm, but the means are flexible.” Lori […]

Education’s Dysfunctional Relationship with Happiness

If you asked parents “What is it that you want for your kids?” You’d have an overwhelmingly common response of: “I just want them to be happy?” While they may add other things like health, a job they love and good relationships, happiness would top […]

Making Rigorous PBL by Design Doable

It is difficult to accept that the best learning road is slow and that doing poorly now is essential for better performance later.  It is so deeply counterintuitive that it fools the learners themselves both about their own progress and their […]

How to Prepare CTE Students for Technology’s Changing Landscape

Districts across the country revise and rewrite their academic visions, goals, and strategic plans every year. Professional development (PD) for administrators is embedded, and if the district has a comprehensive strategy for teacher PD, best […]

Raising the Bar for Student Work in PBL: 3 Tips and Tools to Get Started

Many of my early projects followed a repetitive and unfulfilling path. The project would begin with a bang and generally included lots of excitement and commitment. But, by the end of the journey, the momentum had waned and only a whimper of […]

Preparing for the Future with Emerging Technologies

The world is constantly changing which means that in our work as educators, we need to continue to push ourselves to learn about the innovations happening in the world. We are in the position to help students to build skills in the right areas so […]

Using Pre-Built Performance Tasks to Implement High-Quality PBL with Ease

Many of you know and love meal kits – the kind you can order from Home Chef, Hello Fresh, Blue Apron or many other companies. I think they’re a fitting analogy to the kind of pre-built performance tasks offered by Defined Learning.

A meal kit […]

How to Foster Student-Directed Learning in Your Classroom

For the past 21 years, I have been teaching high school science, from environmental and earth science to college prep, honors, and Advanced Placement biology. During my first 15 years as an educator, I taught science based on how I was taught when I […]