Spotlight on Practice

12 October 2022

0800 769 243

Presenter: Sjaan McDivitt Education Setting: Taumata School www.nzcge.nz
 Project-Based Learning and
Gifted Education

0800 769 243

Presenter: Sjaan McDivitt | Education Setting: Taumata School www.nzcge.nz
A Little Bit about Me
Sjaan McDivitt
● Tauranga, Bay of Plenty
● Mum of two, Zack 12 and Indie, 9.
● Contact: sjaanmcdivitt@taumata.school.nz

Current Position:
● Learning Coach at Taumata School
● Year 7 and 8 classroom Kaiako
● Project Based Learning Led
● Mathematics Curriculum Led

I have been teaching for the past 12 years. I have a passion for empowering
students and delivering future focused education. I love hands on learning,
students at the centre, agentic programmes and ensuring learners are
stretched.
0800 769 243
Presenter: Sjaan McDivitt | Education Setting: Taumata School www.nzcge.nz
My journey in Gifted Education &
Project Based Learning
Gifted Education:
● Currently in my second year of postgraduate studies - Specialist Teacher
(Gifted Endorsement)

Project-Based Learning:
● Foundation Learning Coach - being able to design a localised curriculum
that empowers learners, that is driven by students interests, passions
and exploration.
● Key driver - A.J Juliani and John Spencer - Empower
● Scaffolded Projects - Student led projects
● Clarity of expectation and process

0800 769 243

Presenter: Sjaan McDivitt | Education Setting: Taumata School www.nzcge.nz
Project-based Learning Works Well for Gifted
Strategy/Provision Covered Strategy/Provision Covered

Choice YES Like-Minds (belonging) YES

Challenge/Rigour YES Strengths (talent) YES

Focus/Development
Complexity YES Curriculum adaptation YES
(UDL/Differentiation)
Control YES Explicit Teaching YES

Conceptual Approach YES Social and/or Emotional YES

Support/Development/ Learning
Independent Activity YES Readiness (credit for prior learning) YES

High Expectations YES Mentors/Role Models YES

Rogers, 2009, Kanevsky and Keighley 2003 ,
Tomlinson, 2005, 2012, 2015, 2018)

0800 769 243

Presenter: Sjaan McDivitt | Education Setting: Taumata School www.nzcge.nz
The Project Based Learning Framework
Design Thinking Framework:

● Design thinking is a flexible framework designed to get the most

out of the creative process. It is used in a diverse range of
industries: the corporation world, social and civil spaces and higher
education.
● The structure captures and enhances student voice and choice.
Choice, whether completely free or with limitations, is what will
drive students to dive deeper into learner.
● It is a process that boosts creativity and bring out the ‘maker’ in
every student.

0800 769 243

Presenter: Sjaan McDivitt | Education Setting: Taumata School www.nzcge.nz
 Challenging
Share Problem or
with the Question
world

Reflect Sustained
Inquiry

Project Based
Test, Learning Reflect
Critique &
Revise
Framework

Prototype Understanding
the
Problem
Find an
expert
0800 769 243
Taumata School Framework, developed and refined over the past three years: www.nzcge.nz

Taumata School. 2022. Project Based Learning Framework

Gifted Learners and Project Based Learning
Project Based Learning allows gifted students the opportunity to take on challenging, socially
and/or personally relevant tasks within the context of
nurturing relationships. PBL allows students to gain knowledge and develop skills as they work
to investigate complex problem, question, or challenge over a sustained amount of time.

Although project-based learning is a great strategy for ALL learners, it is especially

advantageous for gifted learners due to the fact that it offers the following:
* Depth and complexity
* individualized pace
* student choice
* student accountability, ownership and empowerment
* students working with like-minded peers
* incorporation of real-world skills in the classroom (transferable skills)
* collaborative learning
*engages learners in the learning process
* working with experts
* relevance and authenticity - high levels of engagement
0800 769 243
www.nzcge.nz
Presenter: Sjaan McDivitt | Education Setting: Taumata School
Scaffolding Project Based Learning
- Ensure a well detailed plan/rubric is used so the learners know what to
expect and when. Provide a timeline for each step. This is a critical
component to helping gifted students feel safe within the looser confines
of a project.
- Provide clear expectations for each stage of the project
- Provide time for teacher conferencing to encourage that ‘out if the box’
thinking
- Encourage students to work with and alongside those who are like-minded
- Reflection and revision throughout the process

Development of Project-Based Learning - Focus on developing key skills

● Teacher Led Projects
● Teacher Scaffolded Projects
● Student-led Projects

0800 769 243

Presenter: Sjaan McDivitt | Education Setting: Taumata School www.nzcge.nz
Rubric of key skills to help guide the learning process across the ages. This document
0800 769 243
was formed in 2021 and refined this year as part of our journey at Taumata School www.nzcge.nz
Taumata School. 2022. Experiential Learning - Skills Progression
PROS & CONS OF PROJECT-BASED LEARNING
Pros Cons
● Students learn real-life skills such as ● Classroom Management - managing
communication and cooperation - multiple projects at once can be time
transferable skills consuming.
● Focuses on the learning process ● Less structure
● Development of leadership skills & ● Requires self motivation
interpersonal skills ● Group work - some students have not
● Student ownership developed the skills to collaborate well - it
● Following passions and Interests takes time to develop the skills for students
● Teaches time management to work together effectively
● Teaches problem solving skills
● Lends itself to differentiation
● Various activities to meet different learning
needs
● Students have choice - ownership
● Creativity
● Critical Thinking skills

0800 769 243

www.nzcge.nz
Presenter: Sjaan McDivitt | Education Setting: Taumata School
Examples of Projects
● Fundraiser for local animal rescue - raising over $1300
● Developing a play that was showcased to the wider school -
costumes, set design, scripting and music
● Cooking - student restaurant - catered to 100+people in one
sitting
● The history of war - reenactment of key moments in history
● Developing a fitness and exercise resource that is used across
the school for warm ups and healthy living
● Creating story books for others in the school
● Developing an item to make a profit

0800 769 243

Presenter: Sjaan McDivitt | Education Setting: Taumata School www.nzcge.nz
 Links and Readings
Book: Empower: What happens when students own their learning - AJ Juliani & John Spencer
Book: Project Based Learning for Gifted Students - Todd Stanley
Online article: Launching into Authentic Learning, GiftED18 - John Spencer
Website: TKI - Gifted
Website: AJ Juliani - A huge range of readings and resources
Website: John Spencer - A huge range of readings and resources
Website: PBL Works

0800 769 243

Presenter: Sjaan McDivitt | Education Setting: Taumata School www.nzcge.nz
 Questions & Comments

0800 769 243

Presenter: Sjaan McDivitt | Education Setting: Taumata School www.nzcge.nz
Our job as Learning Coaches is not to
prepare students for “something;” our
job is to help students prepare
themselves for anything.

Let them choose, and

watch what they can do.
AJ Juliani & John Spencer - Empower
 Thank you
Learn more about the support NZCGE
offers gifted kids, their whānau and
their teachers and schools at
www.nzcge.nz

0800 769 243

Presenter: Sjaan McDivitt | Education Setting: Taumata School www.nzcge.nz