An add-on to the traditional instruction; at the end (or alongside) of the unit.

Follows direction of the facilitator.

Instruction integrated into the project (The Project is the unit!)

Driven by learner inquiry

Focused on product

Focused on product and process

Often unrelated to standards and skills

Aligned to academic standards and skills

Scenario: Learners 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.

Scenario: After a two-week unit on the history of the 1960s that ended with a test, learners spend two days staging a mock protest and hippie gathering, with costumes, props, and music.