Project-Based Learning

What is Project-Based Learning?

 

Project-Based Learning (PBL) is a pedagogical framework that allows learners to engage with projects focusing on real-world challenges and/or problems. Through this exploration, students develop transferable skills and knowledge, think critically and more meaningfully, and persevere in their learning. In essence, PBL is a schema that prepares students for success in the real world and, through real-world applications, encourages students to lead a team to work through a crisis and provide a resolution. So often, traditional learning only touches the academic zone. However, project-based learning enables students to connect real-world issues beyond the classroom and develop the critical skills to navigate real-world challenges. PBL keeps students engaged, interested, and motivated to conquer a central question or problem and produce a meaningful outcome. 

 

7 Benefits of PBL:

• Focuses on a big and open-ended question, challenge, or problem for the student to research and respond to and/or solve.

• Brings what students should academically know, understand, and be able to do into the equation.

• Is inquiry-based, stimulates intrinsic curiosity, and generates questions as it helps students seek answers.

• Uses 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity, among others 

• Builds student choice into the process.

• Provides opportunities for feedback and revision of the plan and the project, just like in real life. 

• Requires students to present their problems, research process, methods, and results, just as scientific research or real-world projects must stand before peer review and constructive criticism. 

Reference: https://www.powerschool.com/blog/project-based-learning-benefits-examples-and-resources/

 

 

Teachers Toolbox: Project-Based Learning Activities

1. Design an app for a specific national or international issue. 

2. Solve a "fake news" article. 

3. Design your own city. 

4. Design the next method of data discovery and distribution 

5. Analyze viral web material

6. Launch a recycling program 

7. Analyze current social media platforms and create a new platform based on past social media trajectories. 

8. Design a government that addresses perceived flaws of existing democracy. 

Video Resource: 

 

Here are great video resources for future teachers that break down projects vs. project-based learning and the potential PBL has to make learning more rigorous. Have a watch!

 

Projects and Project-Based Learning: What's The Difference?

 

5 Keys to Rigorous Project-Based Learning

 

Online Resource:

 

Here is an excellent resource with video materials, planning guides, blogs, rubrics, and more, all geared towards project-based learning created by the Buck Institute for Education! This is a great resource to support educators who may be unfamiliar with PBL and ensure the successful implementation of PBL in the classroom. This online resource is ideal for your teaching and learning toolbox and collection!

Click the link here:https://my.pblworks.org/resources

Personal Anecdote:

           In my grade 12 year, I was given a project-based learning opportunity. In my economics class, I was asked to create a business made for conquering a real-world issue. Through this learning opportunity, I engaged with authentic world materials to identify the business I wanted to create, how I would make it effective, and how it would be different from other existing businesses. This engagement and exploration of the real business world allowed me to develop meaningful skills to navigate and understand the world outside of the classroom. Looking back on this opportunity, it is evident that it stands out in my mind because my learning was not limited to the world of the classroom but the world outside of the classroom. 

Regards, 

GraceD@NU