PBL: Dessert or Main Course

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

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Follows direction of the facilitator.

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

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Driven by learner inquiry

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Focused on product

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Focused on product and process

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Often unrelated to standards and skills

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Aligned to academic standards and skills

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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.

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Answer explanation

HERE'S WHY: This project is focused on a complex question with no single right answer. It requires critical thinking!

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.

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Answer explanation

HERE'S WHY: The two-day event came after students had studied the history of the 1960s. It was not the reason WHY students studied it.