Pursuing Student Interests

P • S • I

The PSI approach originated from the district's Gifted Review Committee and was influenced by the research of James Boreland, Joseph Renzulli and Carol Dweck. It is designed to inspire all students to initiate their own learning experiences.

Basis

PSI is a student-driven, process-centered opportunity for learners to explore their own interests. Students will be given time and space during the school day to

identify a challenge, problem or question.

With the support of staff, peers and community resources, students will plan, manage and reflect

upon their learning. Placing a focus on the process of inquiry fosters the development of a flexible mindset. It allows students the freedom to think independently and interdependently, take risks, and learn from their

attempts.

Defintion

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P • S • I ConvictionsFraming the Experience

Students will pose their own question, problem, or challenge of interest and then self-plan, direct, and assess the learning process with the support of staff. Their self-directed study and inquiry will be correlated with D25 Habits of Mind (HoM).

Students will publicly document and reflect on their learning process at multiple intervals of the experience and not just at the end.

Convictions

Students will reflect on the unintended learning outcomes of their learning experience.

Students will receive, reflect, and act upon continuous teacher and peer formative feedback throughout the experience.

Students will engage in self-assessment throughout for the purpose of reviewing and revising their learning process.

Convictions

Student documentation, reflection, and project artifacts will assist both students and teachers in continuously monitoring progress towards student-generated learning goals.

Students will complete steps of the process in different orders and at different times, sometimes skipping or repeating steps while learning how to persist and overcome challenges.

Students will work flexibly within the roles of learner and teacher/expert throughout the learning process.

Convictions

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Student Interests

Student DrivenInsert descriptor 1Insert descriptor 2Insert descriptor 3Insert descriptor 4Insert descriptor 5

Reflective LearningInsert descriptor 1Insert descriptor 2Insert descriptor 3Insert descriptor 4Insert descriptor 5

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Process Centered

Time and SpaceDedicated and

uninterrupted timeNot solely in the

classroomInsert descriptor 3Insert descriptor 4Insert descriptor 5

Two experiences during the year, total hours each5-10 hours K-210-20 hours 3-5

Classroom teacher is responsible for facilitating PSI experience for students; though it is student-directed

Advanced learning facilitators will be responsible for facilitating PSI experience for students in an “adopted” classroom; though it is student-directed

Pilot Parameters

Pilot teachers will play, experiment, F.A.I.L (First Attempt, now Iterate and Learn) share, document, and learn with and from students

Practice will evolve throughout year as pilot teachers try things w/ their classes, engage in PD, share things w pilot peers, (the process can be messy)

Dedicated and uninterrupted time will be given to students to explore, create and innovate.

Space does not need to be confined to the classroom and should stay open.

Pilot Parameters

Student Selects Topic

Teacher helps refine and focus

Explore rainforests and why they are

disappearing

Student Creates

Learning Plan

Teacher….

Sample Workflow

Date Main FocusOctober 28December 3January 14 & 15February 10 & 11April 1 & 2May 13

Professional Development Plan

PD Activity

Project 2061:http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/pei/scitech_0708.pdfhttp://www.project2061.org/publications/sfaa/online/chap1.htmBoreland: http://www.sd25.org/pages/sd25/Departments/Menu/Student_Learning/Advanced_Learners_Program/Menu/Review_Committee_of_Advanced_LearnersRenzuli:http://www.gifted.uconn.edu/sem/semexec.htmlHabits of Mind:ftp://download.intel.com/education/Common/au/Resources/EO/Course_Resources/Thinking/Habits_of_Mind.pdfGenius Hour and 20% Time:http://www.geniushour.com/ http://lifehacker.com/5932586/make-work-feel-less-like-work-with-the-8020-ruleCreativity:Teaching Inventive Thinking & Problem Solving - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2736021/A NEW Definition of Creativity - http://punya.educ.msu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/tech-trends-9-13.pdf

References and Resources