Kalamazoo Times

Savannah Xaver, an instructional designer with WMUx, presents at the PBL Works workshop. KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Holistic, experience-driven education is Western Michigan University's north star, and a pioneering new partnership will expand opportunities for students to gain resume-worthy experience.

Renowned for its expertise in K-12 education, international professional development leader PBL Works collaborated with WMUx to develop and pilot a four-day Gold Standard PBL Higher Education Certification workshop specifically designed to equip faculty with strategies for implementing engaging, student-centered project-based learning experiences at the post-secondary level.

"By partnering with PBL Works, we are taking a significant step toward enhancing experiential learning at WMU," says Alyssa Moon, associate director of instructional design and development at WMUx. "This workshop will empower our faculty to create dynamic, student-centered learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom and into the community."

"This collaboration with WMU is an exciting step for PBL Works as we expand our reach into higher education," adds Bob Lenz, CEO of PBL Works. "We look forward to seeing the positive impact this program will have on faculty and students alike."

An inaugural cohort of nearly two dozen faculty members representing every academic college at Western completed the transformative certification in August.

"This certification program is a testament to our dedication to innovative teaching practices that prepare students for lifelong success," adds Dr. Jason Glass, associate vice president for teaching and learning at WMUx.

Participating faculty members engaged in various exercises during the workshop aimed at developing a project for their courses and leaving with a fully designed, ready-to-implement PBL project.

Dr. Sakif Amin speaks with other members of his cohort during the four-day certification workshop. "There are professors from the business school, engineering, economics, even theatre, art and literature, but we are all working toward a common goal: getting students ready for the professional world. The training we're providing them is being able to ask questions, being able to dig deep, being able to research independently. And just teaching by lecturing is not going to help students in a dynamic, changing world," says Dr. Sakif Amin, assistant professor of marketing.

"I think it's a very important message that all educators can provide students and get them ready for the professional world so when they hit the ground, they're going to hit it running."

Faculty projects developed in the workshop range from student-driven advertising campaigns to cybersecurity ethics to special education curriculum design. Dr. Rodrigo Aranda, assistant professor of economics, is developing a course about the economics of medical care. He plans to have students think about how lifestyle choices affect their well-being and then take that a step further to examine how public policies related to lifestyle can impact the well-being of a community.

"How can they use economic analysis and an economic toolkit to come up with solutions that are actionable?" he says. "We may have a student working on smoking policies, for example or someone could be focusing on physical activity. And the idea is to match them with someone in the field who does research on that or even policymakers to see how their ideas translate to what can be done in the real world."

In addition to professional development opportunities during this initiative's first year implementation phase through individual/small group follow-ups led by WMUx’s instructional design team participants also built rapport among themselves which sparked more than new ideas for coursework.

"Apart from enhancing experiential learning instruction we have also made friends," Amin says."We're building this network within campus & have someone lean if questions arise or need support."

"We're able talk all these people we've met share ideas knowledge experiences," adds Maddipatla."It's wonderful opportunity."

About WMUx

WMUx exists collaboratively imagine design realize ideas transform enhance learning experience Western Michigan University collaborating instructors staff administrators within University seeks overcome challenges seize opportunities propel academic innovation forward ways directly benefit campus community

About PBL Works

PBL Works premier provider professional development resources problem-based project-based learning focus K-12 education aims empower educators create effective engaging learning experiences prepare students success college career life

For more WMU news arts events visit WMU News online

---