Project Based Learning

Project Based Learning

'How do we employ PBL to enhance student learning and development?'

Open Ended

Please answer the following two questions in your own words

1.What is Project Based Learning?

2. How is it different from a project?

What is Project Based Learning?

• Project-based instruction is an authentic instructional model or strategy in which students plan, implement, and evaluate projects that have real-world applications beyond the classroom (Blank, 1997; Dickinson, et al, 1998; Harwell, 1997).

• It is Standard based, question driven, allows for investigation of complex problems via hands on experience.

• 'Teach Students to solve problems!

Why should we implement PBL?

Why should we implement PBL?

We can define PBL, but what are the steps to implement it?

• Question

• Plan

• Schedule

• Monitor

• Assess

• Evaluate

Question

• Project should be directed by a 'driving question'

• Use a real world topic to guide investigation.

• Make this topic relevant

Plan

• Plan what standards will be addressed while answering the question.

• involve student in the planning phase.

• Students collaborate with teachers while brainstorming.

Schedule

• Design a timeline for each step of the project.

• Set bench marks.

• PRO TIP: Make sure to not let project drag on longer than planned by planning bench marks with students.

Monitor

• Act as a project Facilitator.

• Act as a mentor.

• Reference the rubric.

Assess

• Provide authentic assessment

• Vary the type of assessment used

• Ideally presented outside the classroom

Evaluate

• Reflect individually and as a group.

• Discuss what worked and what did not.

• Share ideas and takeaways that could lead to future driving questions.

Supplemental Handout

Open Ended

What is a driving question you could ask and how could you tie it in with a standard you teach?

Works Cited

Thomas, John W. "A review of research on project based learning. (2020)

edutopia. “Five Keys to Rigorous Project-Based Learning.” YouTube, YouTube, 26 June 2014, www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnzCGNnU_WM. 

Terada, Youki. “New Research Makes a Powerful Case for Pbl.” Edutopia, George Lucas Educational Foundation, 21 Feb. 2021, www.edutopia.org/article/new-research-makes-powerful-case-pbl.