One-Off and Tri-BOBs

BOBs are Building Outside the Blocks Projects that come in two different forms: One-Off and Tri. When coupled with the BOB Approach (read about the BOB approach in here), this twist on project- based learning (pbl) helps students build skill, autonomy, connection and community. Regardless of the presentation cycle, a teacher can employ several One-Off BOBs over a school year or a few One-Offs and a Tri-BOB.

A One-Off BOB is a project that is presented in class using the BOB Approach. Students complete most of the work at home and use class time to be introduced to the assignment. Then, on their selected date in view of their teacher timeline, personal calendars and learning needs, students present their product to the class. The class is an active community of coaches providing constructive feedback and next steps to the presenters. Many projects can be tweaked to become a One-Off BOB when coupled with the approach.

Every One-Off BOB helps students build a variety of skills. While they can help students work towards achieving curriculum expectations, they can simultaneously build outside of those blocks  by exploring their lives and interests using things they enjoy to help build skill and demonstrate learning.. This fosters risk taking as the community, with the support of the teacher, becomes a respectful and safe place for sharing. BOBs also help promote transferable learning skills such as communication, independent work, responsibility and initiative. All BOBs help students students find and use their voices and self-direct their learning.

A Tri-BOB is a series of three BOBs that connect to and build on each other. Each revisit of the project shares similar aspects, but a new dimension is added each time, so that skills can be built upon and deepened over time. When students complete this trilogy, the story of their learning is rich and, according to my students from a variety of grade levels, pretty amazing.

In education, three is number reflective of assessment for, as and of learning. BOBs are formative in nature, providing next steps through feedback from the active class audience, teacher feedback through rubrics, checklists and anecdotes, and student reflections that own their areas for improvement. The first in the Tri-BOB can be diagnostic, seeing where a student begins and planning for improvement on their individual learning continuum. By the second revisit, skills are improving and autonomy is enhanced. By the third iteration of a Tri-BOB, skill building has been assessed over the course of the three connected projects. With a Tri-BOB, students have the time and space to process, develop and really improve their skills.

Sometimes, you have to take a step in a new direction to really see the possibilities. Whether you begin with a One-Off BOB or dive into a Tri-BOB, there is a shift in perception that comes with incorporating this approach into your practice. A change occurs for the teacher, and the learners perceive it, too. It’s like when you finally see both sides of an optical illusion; It’s hard to go back. Creating and using BOBs has altered and improved my teaching but, more importantly, it has enhanced my students’ learning and engagement in school overall. Each project helps to see more of the whole learner so that one can do a better job teaching them and connecting with them as whole people. I have created many different projects that make a difference for students, and I am so happy to share –https://buildingoutsidetheblocks.com/bob-project-ideas.

The author

Noa Daniel

Noa Daniel, M.Ed., is an innovator and thought leader who has been building ways for students to feel visible and valuable in and outside of the classroom for over 20 years. She is a teacher, consultant, coach, and Chief Building Officer at BOB. Noa created the Building Outside the Blocks (BOB) Approach which uses personalised projects to help students build skill, autonomy and community in minimal class time. She is also a podcaster, celebrating educators through her Personal Playlist Podcast (P3). Educators share a nostalgic song, one that reflects their identity and one that is motivational or inspirational. You can read more about Noa and her work at www.buildingoutsidetheblocks.com. Noa blogs about her projects and her guests on the P3 at noadaniel7.wixsite.com/bobblog. You can reach out to her through @noasbobs or by email noa@buildingoutsidetheblocks.com.