Project-Based Learning (PBL)

Real life projects and problems are very motivating to students of all ages. In fact, they often get so involved in their work that you have to tell them to take a break! (What a cool problem!) Project-Based Learning is a powerful instructional strategy that will definitely motivate students in any subject area!

Directions:

1. Explore project-based learning. Start with the first site's articles with videos and examples of PBL.

Project-Based Learning
Start here: Explore George Lucas's Edutopia for many super resources on PBL. You may also want to take time to explore these video instruction and examples that explain what PBL really is. To keep up with the latest PBL news, articles, and projects, subscribe to free weekly online newsletters. Or subscribe to the monthly free print Edutopia magazine.

Project-Based Instruction: Excitement for Learning
"Keeping children engaged and motivated in school is challenging, even for the most experienced teachers. Although it is difficult to prescribe a "one-size-fits-all" approach, research shows that there are practices that will generally encourage students to be more engaged. These practices include moving away from rote learning and memorization to providing more challenging, complex work; having an interdisciplinary, rather than departmentalized focus; and encouraging cooperative learning (Anderman & Midgley, 1998; Lumsden, 1994). Project-based instruction incorporates these principles."

PBLnet.org: The PBL, Design, and Network Center
This site is is filled with great resources including Exemplary Projects and many other resources. Be sure to check this one out!

2. Try to see enough at the above sites (and perhaps other sites below) to get an idea of what PBL is and how it can be a powerful instructional strategy. Then briefly reflect on these questions:

• What do you think about using this kind of approach in your own classroom? Pros and cons.
• How can technology be integrated into this type of learning?

3. Be ready to discuss your thoughts on PBL.

Additional PBL Resources

Project-Based Learning

Project-Based Learning with Multimedia

BIE Project-Based Learning

Project Approach

Project, Problem, and Inquiry-based Learning

Criteria for Authentic Project-Based Learning

Project-Based Checklists

Project-Based Learning Resources
Lots and lots of links.