Page 38 - Waterfall Issue 9 2021

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of the PBL programme was further academic programme teaching time ability to apply desired skills such as
extended to include a digital element.” because pupils come to class already doing research. It develops the student’s
able to use an application. In addition, ability to work with their peers, building
In the year that followed, St Peter’s a small proportion of tasks in this teamwork and group skills. Research
College made significant changes to PBL component is allocated marks, shows that PBL can help students be
the delivery and organisation of the PBL which can be used to contribute to successful in today’s rapidly changing
programme, kicking off with an overt one or more subjects outside of PBL. and complex world, by developing
teaching of the PBL principles to the a broader set of knowledge and
pupils, which outlined the expected “The PBL programme is therefore skills, as well as improving academic
attitudes, values and teaching protocols. able to be leveraged by other parts of achievement,” Matthews says.
Pupils learned how to deal with a group the academic programme. Exposing
discussion, to read a text, to plan, journal students to Sport Skills as part of “At the heart of the St Peter’s College
and most importantly to give feedback. the PBL offered the opportunity to ethos is the school’s focus on preparing
introduce sports not offered by the its students for the world they are
“Once pupils grasped the skills and co-curricular programme such as entering and teaching them the
language of how to give feedback, lifesaving, grid training or basic first coping mechanisms they require. As
they proved to be thoughtful and aid. Coaches gained the opportunity to per the College motto, ‘In Futurum
insightful critics. The subsequent see more students, for longer periods Fortiter’, we, and they, go bravely
introduction of regular peer assessment of time, and to encourage physical into the future. Overcoming the
has resulted in an improved quality of activity,” Zimmerman explains. challenges that accompany that
final products. Feedback to the parents attitude is an integral part of the
has also been streamlined and makes “Pupils who might not opt to play a learning process,” concludes Morais.
use of a 3-level tick-box, although sport for the school are nonetheless
teachers still have the option to add a exposed to a physical activity, and
personal comment,” comments Gwyn this in turn has had a beneficial effect
Zimmerman, Head of Cross Cultural. on overall mental health. One of the
benefits of adding this third leg to the
St Peter’s PBL programme now consists PBL programme has been to reduce
of three components: Project, Digital the size of the group to thirds, which
Skills, and Sport or Physical Skills. While has resolved some of the venue and
the Project section fulfills the initial plan, staffing problems experienced in the
the other two aspects have made the initial stages,” adds Zimmerman.
programme more widely beneficial.
“To summarise: PBL Lends Itself to
The Digital Skills element revolves Authentic Assessment. It allows
around the applications and skills our students to demonstrate
that the teachers require the pupils their capabilities while working For more information visit
to master. This component saves on independently. It shows the student’s www.stpeters.co.za

36 Waterfall Issue 9 2021