WEP 195: Project Based Learning. Real Questions. Real Answers, an Interview with Ross Cooper and Erin Murphy

In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, I interview Ross Cooper and Erin Murphy about their brand new book titled Project Based Learning: Real Questions. Real Answers. How to Unpack PBL an Inquiry. If there’s one thing that teaching during a pandemic has emphasized it's the need for inquiry and better student involvement. So many teachers have reported lack of engagement in remote learning. I think project-based learning is the future of school and a method of instruction that every educator should explore and apply. No matter where you are on the spectrum with project-based learning, you will appreciate and benefit from hearing from Ross and Erin. 

Ross Cooper is currently an administrator in the Chappaqua Central School District. Previously, he was an Elementary School Principal, K-12 curriculum supervisor, Elementary Assistant Principal, and fourth grade teacher. He is an Apple Distinguished Educator and a Google Certified Innovator. As a nationally recognized leader in project based learning, he has worked with thousands of educators across the country to implement PBL, and in 2016 he coauthored Hacking Project Based Learning: 10 Easy Steps to PBL and Inquiry in the Classroom. While his day job is his first professional priority, he finds time to conduct workshops and speak on project based learning, inquiry-based learning, student-centered learning, instructional leadership, his professional experiences, and more. When he is not working, he enjoys eating steak and pizza and provoking his four beautiful nephews and niece. He blogs at rosscoop31.com, and you can connect with him via email, [e-mail], and on Twitter @RossCoops31. 

Erin Murphy currently has the pleasure of serving as the Supervisor of Teaching & Learning for the Humanities subjects in the East Penn School District. She spent four years as a Middle School Assistant Principal and has classroom experiences ranging from kindergarten through fifth grade. She is a proud graduate of Penn State University’s Professional Development School, where she was trained in inquiry-based instructional approaches. Erin is coauthor of Hacking Project Based Learning: 10 Easy Steps to PBL and Inquiry in the Classroom (2016), and she consults internationally with leaders and learners regarding literacy, learning, and leadership. Erin, her husband, and her two daughters reside in Pennsylvania, and the family enjoys spending time gardening, watching football, and playing board games. You can connect with Erin through her blog, psumurphette.com, via email at [e-mail], and on Twitter @MurphysMusings5.

Mentioned in this episode: 

Ross and Erin's book: Project Based Learning: Real Questions. Real Answers.

Follow Erin and Ross on Twitter @MurphysMusings5  and @RossCoops31. 

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