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Using Learning Suite for Project Based Learning

It is becoming increasingly problematic for employers

that students are leaving school without the necessary

skills to gain employment. Key skills that are missing

tend to be problem solving, teamwork, innovation,

adaptability and critical thinking. A solution could beless teaching from the front and more project based or

inquiry based learning. Learning Suite by Microsoft is a

collection of free resources that can help teachers

make this change.

In this tutorial you will:

1)  Learn about the key features of project based learning.

2)  Install Learning Suite by Microsoft.

3)  Use Learning Suite as a digital toolkit.

Tools:

Learning Suite by Microsoft

ICT Skill Level Required:

Educator Scenario 

Carole has been teaching for 15 years and is convinced that student  ownership of learning is critically important.

Students can develop key skills by giving them a certain amount of freedom in the choice of content, goals, method and

tools. Carole organizes project work and at all stages she tries to engage students by giving them a challenge. In Carole’s

class students are not passive consumers of knowledge but active producers of it.

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1. When Carole designs a project based learning activity she considers 4 components:

a)  RESEARCH

Students do research on data (text material, results of science experiments, pieces of art, audio and

video etc.) and define a goal or a challenge.

b)  CREATION

The outcomes of the investigation result in a creative product: a written text, a presentation, a video clip,

etc.

c)  PRESENTATION

The creative product is presented, preferably not just for the teacher but also for fellow students who

can give reciprocal feedback.

d)  COLLABORATION

It is essential for project work that collaboration is integrated in the different stages.

2. For her project work Carole wants to use ICT tools that provide an added value. Learning Suite by Microsoft is

a collection of free programs and applications that can be used for project work. The programs and applications

are mapped according to 21st

Century Skills and match the stages of project work.

3. The most important thing about Learning Suite is that it is a set of free tools for students. Learning Suite can

also be downloaded on any computer.

Carole calls the Leaning Suite a digital toolkit . Just like an ordinary toolkit students can grab what they need

when they need it.

In one of the projects the students investigate healthy food and eating habits. The students collaborate in

groups and do research about the calories of snacks and drinks they consume during a week.

Here’s how Carole has used tools from Learning Suite to build her students’ skills.

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PBL Element Tool Used Activity Skill(s) developed See How

Research   Bing

  Mathematics

4.0

Searching for

information

statistics, averages

etc.

Critical Thinking   Developing Critical

thinking skills with Bing

  Microsoft Mathematics

4.0

Collaboration   SkyDrive Sharing common

documents

Collaboration Skills,

Organizational Skills

  SkyDrive & Office: How to

collaborate

Creation   Autocollage

  PowerPoint

Prepare a visual

report of the

investigation.

Creative Skills   Create Authentic Evidence

with AutoCollage

  Encourage creative

thinking and develop your

students' presentation

skills

Presentation   Songsmith

  Movie Maker

Present the outcomesfor an audience of 

peers.

Presenting Skills   Tutorials: Songsmith

  Build creative skills with

Moviemaker

Further Resources and Ideas 

  Tutorials and Learning Activities for Learning Suite 

  Find out more about Project Based Learning 

  Find out more about Innovative Teaching and Learning and 21st

Century Skills 

Framework Alignment 

  UNESCO CfT – Technology Literacy (Curriculum and Assessment, Basic Knowledge), (Pedagogy, Complex

Problem Solving) and (ICT, Basic Tools)

  ISTE – Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity (1c,d), Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning

Experiences and Assessments (2b,d) and Model Digital Age Work and Learning (3d)