Know/need-to-know list- initial teacher created then student generated in class

I created this list after reading the letter from the principal.  I basically went point by point in the letter and wrote down what I was given, along with any outside information I had (ie. when it was due).  Then I used the letter as a guide to find out what my students need-to-know in order to answer the driving question.  

On the day we cover the list, I ask the students to come up with their own list and will guide them if they are missing any details.  This is an ongoing list and sometimes students add things to the need-to-know list that teachers hadn’t thought of.  It’s encouraged to keep the list posted in class throughout the project to add to the need-to-know side, or move from the need-to-know over to the know side once the material has been covered.  This also helps keep a record of what students have or should have learned during the project as well as anything they might have missed due to absence..

This stays up throughout the project as well. I usually will either erase or cross out anything that is move from the need to know side to the know side and will write in a different color to remind the class what we have covered so far.

What we know

1. We need to use technology for more than games, social networking, and typing papers.
   
   
2. VHS wants to advance academics through all available resources.
   
   
3. VHS wants to use tech in the classroom to better prepare students for the future.
   
   
4. We need to think of and analyze the challenges of tech in a school
   
   
5. We need to come up with possible solutions and protocols for these challenges as a class.
   
   
6. We are sharing our solutions with the whole school.
   
   
7. Our team will present to our peers in the classroom (administration?)
   
   
8. Due at the end of the semester

What we need to know 

1. What norms need to be created regarding the use of technology?
   
   
2. What are norms?
   
   
3. How can we create guidelines to help prevent theft and damage to students’ technology?
   
   
4. What is appropriate technology and what is not?
   
   
5. How can students without technology participate?
   
   
6. What are some creative ways teachers and students can use tech in class?
   
   
7. How will we present the material to others?
   
   
8. What technology will we use in the project?
   
   
9. Exactly which date will we present?
   
   
10. How will groups be decided?

Typically I write up on the board myself, but as students get more comfortable with PBL they share a greater role in the daily activities.  This particular day ended abruptly and the need to know list had to be finished the following day but that list is pictured above.