Updated August 2017:
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On our first day of the 2017 Intensive Summer Institute we were taken to Hawaii’s Plantation Village (HPV) where our main objective was to help create an activity-workbook for Chinese children that would visit HPV. Currently, HPV does not have many interactive resources available for young children visiting their location other than those offered to school tours.
In this Mini-PBLL experience, we were tasked to use our tour time throughout HPV to look for possible activities that would engage Chinese children in learning more about HPV in a fun way. These activities would be incorporated and placed into an activity book.

• Our driving question was:
  

​How can we design and create a printed activity book for Chinese children visiting HPV?

I greatly appreciated diving-in into this mini-PBLL as we could get a broad sense of what a final product would look like. Some topics to be discussed and keep in mind where:

• Problem / Purpose: Our problem was already presented as we are trying to create a product that would be beneficial for Chinese children visiting HPV.
• Product: Keeping in mind that our final product would be an activity book for children under 5 yrs. old that would engage them in a fun way.

It was also noted the following adapted checklist from Tony Wagner reminds us what we need to take into consideration before writing our driving question. Remember that “a question that is captivating to you might not be to your students”.



To conclude, you'll find below the final product of this Mini-PBLL which is an activity book for Chinese children visiting the HPV:

We discussed the importance of PLN and you may also read and start your own or become a part of a PLN. Read more at Introduction to Personal Learning Networks.

You can access some of the tech sessions showcased in this institute by going to this Tech Blog.

Other tech highlights included:

• Tele-collaboration: http://uni-collaboration.eu/ 
• https://appear.in/ 
• Creative Commons attribution builder: http://www.openwa.org/attrib-builder/ 
• StoryboardThat (which includes a presentation mode) ... something like using BitStrips or GoAnimate.
• MoveNote: It's a Chrome extension and it could be used to record yourself and then share an url to video each other's recording.
• Code editing using Fraise.
• Kahoot! came up as a tool to use in class.
• Flipgrid: This site provides a safe and close video discussion platform where students can record themselves in response to a specific prompt. Let's ignite discussions and inspire.
  • Imagine how you could use this tool with student exchanges around the globe beating time differences.
  • For computer users: You can start working right away; however, if you have a smartphone/tablet, you will need to download the app.
  • A reading about 5 reasons for using this tool in the language classroom.
• Tricider: An online tool to post a question and have others add the pros and cons, vote on a specific issue or post, generate discussions and present information not only in writing but with video and/or graphics. 

Some other highlights were:

• Syndication (compiled resources to share information w/students and the general audience),
• TubeChop.

As with all technology, do check first with your school's tech use policies.

From the 2015 PBLL ISI:
Throughout these first few days we have worked on what makes a high quality PBLL.

It's important to start using the new Gold Standard PBL

Thereafter, you need to work on creating an engaging Driving Question. Some resources that are available are:

• PBLWorks resources
• Refining Driving Questions
• How do I create driving questions for my project? using Tubric TM
• Driving Question Round Robin 

Thanks to the experiences, techniques and guidelines shared by our presenters @senoralopez and @L_Scheller_BIE (Do follow them on Twitter),  we have access to this document "World Language Product Guide by level" which helps you align your final product to your challenging problem or question.

Furthermore, we also looked at some authentic ideas that can inspire your projects:

• What does it take for a project to be “authentic”
• Spanish project ideas transferable to other languages BY @sraspanlish
• Arabic project example

Crafting a compelling Entry Event to Launch your project: By using the idea of developing a unique meal, you need to:

• ​Visualize clientele,
• ​develop a list of ingredients,
• iterate plate designs,
• prepare for a tasting.

This metaphor refers to having our students design or create a final product that in collaboration with the target audience can serve/aid them in the target language. Do note that PBLL is not intended for our language learners to all of a sudden become saviors of those in the target culture/language.

Updated 2020 » Product Square:​

The following product square is used to help you develop your PBLL project. Herein you will find the first sample product square created but do take into consideration that the newly revised one can be seen below. The revised version now includes:

• Community Partners,
• Product and Public Audience are now combined, as well as a
• Real world and Authentic purpose. 

Although a work in progress, the following is an infographic of my "product square" prototype which makes reference to my upcoming PBLL:

Throughout the various intensive summer institute, participants have helped fill this repository with projects that have been designed and most likely implemented in various language classes.