Project-based Learning

Project-based Learning

So do you know the difference between a normal project and project-based learning? Here's a little quiz!

Multiple Choice

In a high school math class, students are asked to do research on a famous mathematician and make a presentation about him or her.

• Normal project

• Project-based learning

Why?

The assignment doesn’t teach essential math content. It’s peripheral, rather than central to the curriculum and instruction for the course.

Multiple Choice

Students consider the driving question, “Why did civilizations fall from their Golden Ages, and what lessons can we learn from what happened?” as they research various ancient civilizations and create museum exhibits to share their answers.

• Normal project

• Project-based learning

Why?

This project is focused on a complex question with no single right answer. It requires critical thinking–great!

Multiple Choice

Students make posters at home to illustrate ways to save water and energy, and put them up on the walls of the classroom.

• Normal project

• Project-based learning

Why?

Students are not collaborating to complete the project, and it is unclear if there is an authentic context. Their results are not being shared outside of the classroom.

Multiple Choice

Students investigate how waste in local waterways contributes to the problem of plastic in the ocean. They propose solutions to the problem and present them to city officials.

• Normal project

• Project-based learning

Why?

The project has an authentic purpose and a clear audience outside of the classroom. Instruction and learning of important science content is integrated into the project.

Multiple Choice

Students launch bottle rockets at the end of a physics/math unit, to apply what they have learned.

• Normal project

• Project-based learning

Why?

This is a fun activity—but it’s not a PBL project. It’s missing many key elements of “main course” projects.

Multiple Choice

Students create mobiles with various geometric shapes, which are hung in the classroom.

• Normal project

• Project-based learning

Why?

This is a nice activity—but the project itself doesn’t teach academic content and skills. It’s missing an authentic purpose beyond the classroom.

Multiple Choice

In a middle school English Language Arts class, students create a fan fiction website, including a feature that enables editing and giving feedback so other students can submit their writing.

• Normal project

• Project-based learning

Why?

This project teaches important standards for reading and writing, and features all of the Gold Standard PBL Essential Project Design Elements.

Multiple Choice

Students create mobiles with various geometric shapes, which are hung in the classroom.

• Normal project

• Project-based learning