Designing the Ideal School System
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Designing the Ideal School System

Grade 9Other15 days
★★★★★
5.0 (1 rating)
This project-based learning experience for 9th-grade students tasks them with designing an ideal school system that effectively integrates the roles of various education professionals. Through activities like role exploration, collaborative planning, and innovative design, students investigate how professional roles impact education and student engagement. The project emphasizes research, collaboration, and the development of innovative educational structures, culminating in a virtual presentation. It aims to develop students' skills in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving while addressing the diverse needs and interests of students.
School DesignEducation ProfessionalsCollaborationInnovationStudent EngagementResearchCommunication
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we design a school system that effectively incorporates the diverse roles of education professionals to enhance learning and engagement, while addressing the needs and interests of students?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What are the various roles and responsibilities of education professionals within a school system?
  • How does the collaboration between different education professionals impact student learning and school operations?
  • In what ways can the design of a school system influence the educational outcomes of students?
  • What innovative approaches can be incorporated into school design to enhance learning and student engagement?
  • How can the needs and interests of students be effectively addressed within a school system?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Understand and articulate the diverse roles and responsibilities of education professionals within a school system.
  • Analyze how collaboration between education professionals can impact student learning and school operations.
  • Design an innovative school system that incorporates various educational professionals and addresses student needs and interests.
  • Develop skills in conducting research on educational structures and professional roles.
  • Communicate ideas effectively through both written and verbal presentation.

Common Core Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1
Primary
Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9–10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.Reason: Students will engage in discussions about the roles and collaboration of education professionals as part of designing a school system.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.4
Secondary
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.Reason: Students will document their school design process and professional roles analysis through coherent writing tasks.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.7
Primary
Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.Reason: Students will research to understand the roles of education professionals and how they contribute to school design.

ISTE Standards for Students

ISTE-E.5.b
Supporting
Students develop, implement, and communicate new ideas to others effectively.Reason: Students will develop and present their school system designs, communicating new ideas for educational structures.
ISTE-E.7.b
Secondary
Students use collaborative technologies to work with others, including peers, experts or community members, to examine issues and problems from multiple viewpoints.Reason: Collaboration and technology will be essential as students work together to design a school.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Design Your Dream School Hackathon

A fast-paced, interactive hackathon where students form teams to begin initial brainstorming and prototyping of their ideal school. They challenge the conventions of current systems, explore different professional roles, and present their initial ideas to a panel of judges who provide feedback.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Role Exploration Journal

Students will research and document the roles of different education professionals, focusing on daily responsibilities and impacts on student learning.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Select a professional role within the education system to research, such as a teacher, counselor, or administrator.
2. Conduct research using online resources, interviews, or school visits to gather information about the selected role.
3. Document findings in a journal, noting specific duties, challenges, and contributions to the educational environment.
4. Reflect on the gathered information, considering how these roles work together to support students.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive journal describing the role, responsibilities, and impact of an education professional.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis activity aligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.7 as students conduct research to understand educational roles.
Activity 2

Collaborative Planning Workshop

Students collaborate in groups to discuss and plan how different educational professionals interact to create an effective school environment.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Form groups based on different professional roles studied in the previous activity.
2. Discuss how these roles collaborate in a school setting to enhance student learning and operations.
3. Develop a plan detailing the collaborative processes and interactions between these roles.
4. Prepare a group presentation to share insights and plans with the class.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA group presentation outlining the collaborative interactions between different educational roles.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis activity supports CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1 by engaging students in collaborative discussions.
Activity 3

Innovative School Design Blueprint

Students design a blueprint of an innovative school system that incorporates the various roles of education professionals.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Recap previous learning activities and establish goals for the school design.
2. Sketch initial ideas and layout of the school system considering the integration of various educational roles.
3. Refine the blueprint by incorporating peer and teacher feedback, focusing on innovation and integration.
4. Finalize the blueprint with detailed descriptions of how each role contributes to the overall design.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed blueprint of a school system, with explanations of the roles of education professionals.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligned with ISTE-E.5.b, this encourages students to develop and communicate innovative ideas.
Activity 4

Research and Reflection Essay

Students will write a reflective essay analyzing their research findings and the impact of professional collaboration in school design.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Organize notes and findings from the Role Exploration Journal and Collaborative Planning Workshop.
2. Draft an essay that synthesizes research findings with insights on the impact of professional roles.
3. Highlight examples of effective collaboration and innovation in school systems.
4. Edit and revise the essay for clarity and coherence.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA well-structured and coherent reflective essay analyzing educational roles and collaboration.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis essay aligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.4, covering clear and coherent writing.
Activity 5

Virtual School Design Presentation

Final project where students present their innovative school designs using digital tools to a panel of teachers and community members.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Develop a presentation using collaborative technologies to showcase the school design blueprint.
2. Rehearse the presentation with peers to ensure clarity and engagement.
3. Present the school design to a panel, highlighting how it addresses student needs and professional integration.
4. Gather feedback from the panel to refine the design and presentation skills.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA digital presentation of the school design demonstrating how roles and collaboration contribute to student success.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis presentation supports ISTE-E.5.b and ISTE-E.7.b by using collaborative tools and showcasing innovative educational structures.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Innovative School Design Rubric

Category 1

Research and Understanding of Roles

Assesses the depth and accuracy of students' research into educational roles and their responsibilities.
Criterion 1

Comprehensive Role Analysis

Evaluates how thoroughly students researched and documented the responsibilities and impacts of educational professionals.

Exemplary
4 Points

The research and documentation provide a sophisticated, thorough understanding of educational roles and their impacts.

Proficient
3 Points

The analysis shows a thorough understanding, with clear connections between roles and their educational impacts.

Developing
2 Points

The analysis reflects an emerging understanding, with basic coverage of roles and impacts.

Beginning
1 Points

The analysis is minimal, with limited understanding of educational roles and responsibilities.

Criterion 2

Integration of Research Findings

Measures how well students integrate research findings into their school design process.

Exemplary
4 Points

Research findings are seamlessly integrated into the school design, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding.

Proficient
3 Points

Research findings are effectively integrated, showing thorough understanding in the design.

Developing
2 Points

Research findings are partially integrated, showing limited application to design.

Beginning
1 Points

Research findings are minimally present, with little integration into the design.

Category 2

Collaborative Planning and Presentation

Evaluates the effectiveness of student collaboration and their presentation skills, including the use of digital tools.
Criterion 1

Collaboration and Group Dynamics

Assesses effectiveness in collaborating and contributing to group discussions and planning.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates leadership and facilitates productive collaboration to achieve group goals.

Proficient
3 Points

Works effectively within the group, contributing to discussions and planning processes.

Developing
2 Points

Participates in group tasks with emerging contribution and collaboration skills.

Beginning
1 Points

Minimal participation and contribution in collaborative tasks.

Criterion 2

Presentation Clarity and Use of Digital Tools

Evaluates the clarity and engagement of the presentation, including the effective use of digital tools.

Exemplary
4 Points

Presentation is highly engaging, clear, and professionally utilizes digital tools.

Proficient
3 Points

Presentation is clear and utilizes digital tools effectively.

Developing
2 Points

Presentation is partially clear with basic use of digital tools.

Beginning
1 Points

Presentation lacks clarity and effective use of digital tools.

Category 3

Final Product: School Design Quality

Assesses the quality and innovation of the final school design product, reflecting learning and creativity.
Criterion 1

Design Innovation and Creativity

Measures the originality and creativity of the school system design.

Exemplary
4 Points

Design exhibits exceptional creativity, integrating innovative educational strategies effectively.

Proficient
3 Points

Design is creative with several innovative elements that enhance educational strategies.

Developing
2 Points

Design shows emerging creativity with some innovative aspects.

Beginning
1 Points

Design lacks creativity and innovation, utilizing conventional models without enhancement.

Criterion 2

Alignment to Student Needs and Interests

Assesses how well the design meets varied student needs and interests.

Exemplary
4 Points

Design thoroughly addresses and creatively integrates diverse student needs and interests.

Proficient
3 Points

Design effectively addresses student needs and incorporates interests appropriately.

Developing
2 Points

Design partially addresses student needs, with limited integration of interests.

Beginning
1 Points

Design minimally considers student needs and interests, showing limited integration.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Think about your experience in designing your own school system. What was the most challenging aspect of integrating the various roles of educational professionals, and how did you address this challenge?

Text
Optional
Question 2

On a scale of 1 to 5, how effectively do you think your school design addresses the diverse needs and interests of students?

Scale
Required
Question 3

Which educational professional role did you find most interesting to learn about during your research, and why?

Text
Required
Question 4

How did the feedback from the panel during the Virtual School Design Presentation influence your final design?

Text
Optional
Question 5

In what ways do you feel you have developed skills in collaboration and communication throughout this project? For example, working with peers or using collaborative technologies.

Text
Required
Question 6

Multiple Choice: What component of your school's design are you most proud of?

Multiple choice
Required
Options
Integration of roles
Innovative curriculum ideas
Student engagement strategies
Use of technology