Take a moment to reflect on your own experiences in K-12 school. What do you remember most fondly? Was it doing math problems? Reading chapters in a history book? Writing essays for English? Maybe…but probably not.

Now, think about those more hands-on, immersive experiences. What about that trip to a historical village where you stepped back in time to imagine life 100 years ago? Or the walk through the woods, identifying trees, plants, and rocks in your backyard? Or that interview project with your grandmother, where you learned about her life and even got to “publish” her story?

What do all these experiences have in common? You might say they’re real-world, authentic, or they engage students in their community. I’d agree—and there’s so much more to them!

The Power of Innovative Teaching Practices

These kinds of experiences are examples of innovative teaching and learning practices. Opportunities like field trips and community projects help students ground themselves in “place” and see that learning can happen anywhere, not just within the walls of a classroom. These experiences often become more powerful when paired with a project, problem, question, or design challenge—enter Project-Based Learning (PBL), Place-Based Education (PBE), Problem-Based Learning, and other inquiry-driven models like Design Thinking and Experiential Learning. These approaches all have overlapping elements, making them essential for educators aiming to foster deep, meaningful learning.

Hi, I’m Lindsay Lane, the new Innovative Learning Consultant at Kent ISD. I taught at the Grand Rapids Public Museum School for seven years, focusing on Social Studies, Psychology, and Senior Capstone for 7th, 8th, and 9th grades. My classroom wasn’t traditional; we worked in a project-based, design-thinking, community-partnership, and place-based context—exactly the kinds of approaches I mentioned above.

Creating Hands-On Learning Opportunities

During my teaching, I collaborated with colleagues, students, and community partners to provide rich, hands-on learning experiences. Some of the examples I shared earlier were ones I was fortunate to have as a student, but they closely mirror the opportunities my colleagues and I provided for our students.

One of my favorite projects was a Lifespan Development module in my Psychology class. We took a trip to the GRCC Early Childhood Learning Laboratory, where students observed young children in their classroom environments. They then connected their observations with the developmental theories we were studying in class. Later in the module, students visited a local retirement home to conduct interviews with residents. But this wasn’t just a simple Q&A session. Beforehand, students learned how to write interview questions, practiced interviewing skills, and developed a sense of empathy and communication with their audience. Students wrote lifespan development reports for their final product, summarizing their interview findings and connecting them to development theories. The best part? They shared these reports with the residents they interviewed.

This project was just one of many I implemented that made learning come alive for my students. There were countless other examples at the Museum School, many of which were designed by my talented colleagues. And I know teachers across the state and country implement similarly powerful and innovative learning experiences daily!

Supporting Innovative Teaching in Your Classroom

You might be thinking, “How can I do this in my classroom?” Or, “How do I make sure I’m still meeting standards?” Or maybe, “I don’t have time for this!” These are valid questions—the exact questions I’m here to help you with.

In my new role as an Innovative Learning Consultant, I’m excited to work alongside you to bring these kinds of experiences to your students. Whether it’s figuring out where to start or refining an approach you’re already using, I can support you with tools, resources, and strategies tailored to your needs.

If you’re ready to explore strategies for innovative teaching, don’t miss our upcoming PBL Workshop: Strategies for Innovation, Implementation, and Assessment! This engaging workshop will provide practical tools and resources to implement Project-Based Learning in your classroom effectively. You’ll dive deep into the key elements of PBL, collaborate with fellow educators, and leave with actionable strategies to inspire your students. Click here to learn more and reserve your spot today!

Resources for Project-Based Learning

If you’re ready to dive into Project-Based Learning or similar approaches, here are a few resources I highly recommend:

PBLWorks.org (Buck Institute for Education): This site offers example projects, tips, and strategies for starting with PBL.

HQPBL (High-Quality Project-Based Learning) is another excellent resource that outlines key elements of high-quality project-based learning, including authenticity, reflection, public product, and challenge.

John Spencer’s Launch Cycle: John Spencer bridges Design Thinking and Project-Based Learning in what he calls “PBL by Design,” offering a fresh take on how these practices overlap and support each other.

No matter which model you follow, focusing on the heart of these frameworks is essential. For example, PBLWorks’ Gold Standard and HQPBL emphasize authenticity, reflection, and public product production. The same is true for Spencer’s Launch Cycle. All of these frameworks prioritize meaningful, real-world learning and offer a clear path for creating engaging experiences for students.

Ready to Get Started?

I’d love to connect with you if you’re excited to start incorporating these frameworks into your teaching! Please complete this short survey to share your district’s needs and priorities. Completing this survey will help me better understand how I can support you and your colleagues in fostering innovative learning experiences. Also, feel free to contact me directly at lindsaylane@kentisd.org or by phone at 616-410-4797.

#InnovativeTeaching #ProjectBasedLearning #ExperientialLearning #HandsOnEducation #RealWorldLearning #WeLeadLearning #KentISDpd

This blog post was written by Lindsay Lane, an Innovative Learning Consultant for Kent ISD, and edited by Amanda Walma, T/L Marketing and Communications Specialist for Kent ISD.