Project Based Learning

What is Project-based Learning?
Project-based learning (PBL) is a teaching method where students gain and apply skills by working on a long project where they complete an in-depth inquiry into a specific topic or question. Like all teaching methods, it’s not standalone. It can be added to the teaching you are already doing in your classroom. PBL allows for more real world application and in-depth understanding of the concepts your students need to understand.

What are the benefits for students?

Project-based learning is exciting for students. The first time I did PBL in my classroom, students were voluntarily doing extra research and activities for their project at home. I am constantly impressed by the level of interest students take in these projects. Student interest equals engagement, which will raise your test scores without all that boring test prep. In the long run, PBL helps students practice life skills like creating a budget or starting a business.

What are the benefits for teachers? In project-based learning, students work to investigate the concepts by making their own choices. Once you’ve set up the parameters, the students do all the work. You are just there to facilitate. PBL also involves far less paper than worksheets, and far less grading. Students receive a final project grade, and observational grades throughout.

What do I need for Project-based Learning?

The following components are needed for a project to be considered Project-based learning:

Significant Content – At its core, the project is focused on teaching students important knowledge and skills, derived from standards and key concepts at the heart of academic subjects.

21st century competencies – Students build competencies valuable for today’s world, such as problem solving, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity/innovation, which are explicitly taught and assessed.

In-Depth Inquiry – Students are engaged in an extended, rigorous process of asking questions, using resources, and developing answers.

Driving Question – Project work is focused by an open-ended question that students understand and find intriguing, which captures their task or frames their exploration.

Need to Know – Students see the need to gain knowledge, understand concepts, and apply skills in order to answer the Driving Question and create project products, beginning with an Entry Event that generates interest and curiosity.

Voice and Choice – Students are allowed to make some choices about the products to be created, how they work, and how they use their time, guided by the teacher and depending on age level and PBL experience.

Critique and Revision – The project includes processes for students to give and receive feedback on the quality of their work, leading them to make revisions or conduct further inquiry.

Public Audience – Students present their work to other people, beyond their classmates and teacher.

How do I plan a PBL activity?
Begin with 2-3 standards you’ve been teaching. Ask yourself what students can do with these standards in their real lives, and how they will do it. Create a driving question based on this information. Plan out what you want students to do each day during the investigation. Create a few activities that allow for choice to go with the driving question.