Launching @home virtual PBL-lite learning experiences during a Pandemic

Client: Altitude Learning

The Challenge:

Altitude Learning has provided a personalized learning platform for schools since its inception in 2013. With a focus on designing learning experiences for brick and mortar classrooms, home learning settings launched by COVID-19 closures was new territory for Altitude Learning. Being a progressive and entrepreneurial company, Altitude Learning pivoted quickly and decided to launch a new entity of the company titled @home-in hopes of providing engaging learning experiences for students at home with their families. 

The Solution:

CraftED worked closely with Altitude Learning’s team to provide consultation on their pilot framework for teaching and learning for the @home venture. With some suggested modifications, CrafTED was able to design an initial 2-week learning experience for students at home. After positive feedback of this 2-week experience, CraftED and Altitude Learning’s team collaborated to continue to iterate on their pedagogical model, and CraftED went on to design two more project-based (PBL-lite) units.  

The Results:

  • CraftED created three white-labeled PBL-lite units for students to complete at home during COVID-19 school closures, that met the needs of Altitude Learning’s platform. 
  • For each unit three adaptations were provided: for grades k-2, grades 3-5 and grades 6-8.
  • Each unit was a 2 week experience that included synchronous and asynchronous learning experiences for students to complete during home quarantine.
  • Each unit included the following: A teaching guide, slide decks for synchronous meetings, parent communication, student handouts, a launch activity and student entry document, student reflection questions and success criteria, all student-facing instructions and necessary resources.

 

“Our team at Altitude Learning partnered with Jenny to design authentic learning experiences to engage and empower learners in meaningful academic content in distance learning. Jenny’s knowledge of PBL and how to design projects that engage diverse learners is unmatched. She is masterful at designing for enough structure that allows learners to dive deep into content and develop skills and habits while providing enough flexibility to allow all learners to engage in ways that are meaningful to them.”

– Dr. Katie Martin, Head of Partnerships at Altitude Learning