Sarah Goldin teaches biology, biochemistry, and chemistry, at Greenwich High School in Greenwich, Connecticut. She also serves as faculty adviser for the school’s first Tech Challenge Robots Team. For the past two years, she has co-taught a project-based, interdisciplinary STEM course, which combines environmental chemistry and algebra 2. She also teaches a course called AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), which is an academic elective that promotes college readiness for first-generation college students. She holds a Ph.D. in Genetics and Development from Columbia University.
Originally published on GHS Innovation Lab and reprinted with permission.
“We do not learn from experience… we learn from reflecting on experience.”
-John Dewey
Presentations of Learning (PoLs) provide a rich opportunity for cross-disciplinary, summative assessment while developing students’ abilities to reflect meaningfully on their work. As such, PoLs are a key ingredient in deep, project-based learning.
Innovation Lab students prepare full-length summative Presentations of Learning each spring through which they reflect, both in writing and in panel discussions, on their growth and learning. To prepare for their PoLs, student analyze the academic, personal, and interpersonal capacities articulated in the Greenwich Public Schools Vision of the Graduate to reflect upon areas of strength and areas for growth as demonstrated using specific examples from their project work in both STEM and Humanities courses. Project-specific “mini-PoLs” are also used throughout the year to help prepare students for their end of the year summative experience, following a condensed format.
Presentations of Learning Resources
Innovation Lab Deeper Learning 2017 PoLs workshop
PoLs at the Deeper Learning Conference 2017
Innovation Lab Video examples
Mini-PoLs from the Humanities “Taking a Stand” National History Day Project
Students made this video as a “mini-POL” for the STEM “Eureka! It’s Battery Power” Project
Innovation Lab Written Reflection examples
Sample 1 – PoLs Written Reflection (212 level)
Sample 2 – PoLs Written Reflection (212 level)
Sample 3 – PoLs Written Reflection (213 level)
Sample 4 – PoLs Written Reflection (213 level)
Sample instruction documents and rubrics
GHS Innovation Lab: PoLs Overview and Tentative Schedule 2016
GHS Innovation Lab: Presentations of Learning (PoLs) Instructions
GHS Innovation Lab: Rubric for PoLs Oral Presentation
GHS Innovation Lab: Rubric for P0Ls Written Analysis
GHS Innovation Lab: Rubric for PoLs Written Analysis Copy for Students
GHS Innovation Lab: National History Day 2017 – Mini-PoL Written Reflection
Other great examples of, and resources for, PoLs
Student Made Videos as POLs: High Tech High App: HTH students made this video as a PoL describing their creation of an app.
Video: Presentations Of Learning at High Tech High: Rob Riordan facilitates an examination of PoL videos and rubrics at a HTH Chula Vista faculty meeting
Video: IOL (Interview of Learning) 9th Grade Multimedia: An interesting alternative, an online interview version of a PoL, as from a HTH multmedia course
Overview of PoLs at Eagle Rock School: Another school’s approach to and description of their PoLs
Project-Based Learning and Presentations: An analysis of the difference between a “presentation” and a “presentation of learning” with practical tips on how to make the shift