Make It Mindful: Insights for Global Learning

After leaving teaching for a few years, our former cohost Komal Shah recently returned to the classroom, drawn back by the innovative project-based learning model at High Tech High. Unlike many teachers fleeing the profession today, she was inspired by her colleagues and the hands-on, relevant learning happening in the classrooms.Students at High Tech High engage in project-based learning (PBL) where they tackle real-world problems that require critical thinking, collaboration, iteration, and public presentation of their solutions. This develops key skills like initiative, problem-solving, dealing with ambiguity, communication and more. Teachers act as facilitators, helping students acquire knowledge and skills through self-directed projects versus traditional direct instruction.Komal contrasts her PBL students with those in more traditional settings. PBL students display more curiosity, personal agency, willingness to take healthy risks and learn from failure. They advocate for their own needs and interests. Projects integrate multiple subjects and connect students to their communities, keeping learning timely and relevant compared to standardized curricula. This relevance fuels students’ motivation and engagement.While the PBL model attracts self-directed students, it may not suit everybody. But aspects can be integrated into traditional contexts, perhaps through a single project linking students with community members to solve real problems. The key is giving students purpose and real-world impact to drive buy-in and effort. For Komal and the staff at High Tech High, PBL brings learning to life for students and teachers alike.TakeawaysProject-based learning (PBL) allows students to focus on real-world problems and make an impact in their communities.Flipping the lesson order and starting with real-world problems can increase student engagement and problem-solving skills.Collaboration and curiosity are key skills developed through PBL.Teachers can implement elements of PBL in traditional settings by integrating real-world applications and partnering with community organizations.Show Links:1. Follow PBL experts Kyle Wagner (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kwagssd3/) and Loni Bergqvist (https://www.linkedin.com/in/loniatimagineif/)2. Project Cards for PBL on HTH Unboxed: https://hthunboxed.org/project-card-home/Guest Links:Komal ShahSpeaker, Author, & EntrepreneurLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/consultkomalWebsite: https://thekomalshah.comBook: https://www.amazon.com/Raise-Your-Hand-Consciousness-Education-ebook/dp/B09FNT6B45/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Show Notes

After leaving teaching for a few years, our former cohost Komal Shah recently returned to the classroom, drawn back by the innovative project-based learning model at High Tech High. Unlike many teachers fleeing the profession today, she was inspired by her colleagues and the hands-on, relevant learning happening in the classrooms.

Students at High Tech High engage in project-based learning (PBL) where they tackle real-world problems that require critical thinking, collaboration, iteration, and public presentation of their solutions. This develops key skills like initiative, problem-solving, dealing with ambiguity, communication and more. Teachers act as facilitators, helping students acquire knowledge and skills through self-directed projects versus traditional direct instruction.

Komal contrasts her PBL students with those in more traditional settings. PBL students display more curiosity, personal agency, willingness to take healthy risks and learn from failure. They advocate for their own needs and interests. Projects integrate multiple subjects and connect students to their communities, keeping learning timely and relevant compared to standardized curricula. This relevance fuels students’ motivation and engagement.

While the PBL model attracts self-directed students, it may not suit everybody. But aspects can be integrated into traditional contexts, perhaps through a single project linking students with community members to solve real problems. The key is giving students purpose and real-world impact to drive buy-in and effort. For Komal and the staff at High Tech High, PBL brings learning to life for students and teachers alike.

Takeaways

  • Project-based learning (PBL) allows students to focus on real-world problems and make an impact in their communities.
  • Flipping the lesson order and starting with real-world problems can increase student engagement and problem-solving skills.
  • Collaboration and curiosity are key skills developed through PBL.
  • Teachers can implement elements of PBL in traditional settings by integrating real-world applications and partnering with community organizations.

Show Links:
1. Follow PBL experts Kyle Wagner (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kwagssd3/) and Loni Bergqvist (https://www.linkedin.com/in/loniatimagineif/)
2. Project Cards for PBL on HTH Unboxed: https://hthunboxed.org/project-card-home/

Guest Links:
Komal Shah
Speaker, Author, & Entrepreneur
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/consultkomal
Website: https://thekomalshah.com
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Raise-Your-Hand-Consciousness-Education-ebook/dp/B09FNT6B45/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=



Creators and Guests

LP
Host
Lauren Pinto
SF
Host
Seth Fleischauer
KS
Guest
Komal Shah

What is Make It Mindful: Insights for Global Learning?

Make It Mindful: Insights for Global Learning is a podcast for globally minded educators who want deep, long-form conversations about how teaching and learning are changing — and what to do about it.

Hosted by former classroom teacher and Banyan Global Learning founder Seth Fleischauer, the show explores how people, cultures, technologies, cognitive processes, and school systems shape what happens in classrooms around the world. Each long-form episode looks closely at the conditions that help students and educators thrive — from executive functioning and identity development to virtual learning, multilingual education, global competence, and the rise of AI.

Seth talks with teachers, researchers, psychologists, and school leaders who look closely at how students understand themselves, build relationships, and develop the capacities that underlie deep learning — skills like perspective-taking, communication, and global competence that are essential for navigating an interconnected world. These conversations surface the kinds of cross-cultural experiences and hard-to-measure abilities that shape real achievement. Together, they consider how to integrate new technologies in ways that strengthen—not replace—the human center of learning.

The result is a set of ideas, stories, and practical strategies educators can apply to help students succeed in a complex and fast-changing world.