What is Project-Based Learning?
In PBL, students learn through the collaborative process of designing a solution and creating a product that answers the teacher’s driving question and project requirements. Students must work together to develop a project plan and determine what “product” meets the teacher’s requirements and what skills and knowledge will be required to complete their task(s). These projects are almost always completed through collaboration between 3 to 5 students and often require interdisciplinary skills and knowledge.
PBL seeks to incorporate the core state learning standards with a passionate pursuit of solving real community or global problems. The PBL model provides students with the opportunity to be equipped with the skills needed to be successful in the 21st century while sparking their interest to be innovators in solving real local and global problems. This problem-solving approach to learning charges students to be actively engaged in the learning and skill building that is inherent in the creative process of designing a product or project.
There are several unique aspects that define the PBL approach:
- Learning takes place within the contexts of authentic tasks, issues, and problems--that are aligned with real-world concerns AND state learning standards.
- The PBL approach is founded in solid academic research on learning and on the best practices that promote it. This approach stimulates students to take responsibility for their own learning, since there are few lectures, no structured sequence of assigned readings, and so on.
- PBL is unique in that it fosters collaboration among students, stresses the development of problem solving skills within the context of professional practice, promotes effective reasoning and self-directed learning, and is aimed at increasing motivation for life-long learning.
While there are many different approaches and models for implementing PBL in the classroom, the METRO Schools have partnered with Engage Learning to utilize their innovative design approach to PBL implementation. To learn more visit: http://engage2learn.org
PBL Videos
Below are a few video about PBL that may help you to understand PBL and imagine how a PBL classroom is a unique and exciting place for students to learn.
PBL in the Classroom
As you may have guessed, PBl makes for a rather unique classroom experience. Each PBL project undergoes (roughly) the same process or steps, and the model to the left is intend to explain what each of those steps are. Use the arrows to discover exactly how the a pbl project unfolds.
To learn more about the PBL model used at the METRO Schools please visit http://engage2learn.org
PBL Links
Engage Learning
The METRO Schools are proud to implement the Engage Learning model for Project-Based Learning. All METRO teachers and administrators went through extensive PBL training by the consultants of Engage Learning. Click the link to learn more about the Engage's innovative approach to PBL implementation.
Buck Institute for Education (BIE)
Considered one of the leadier in PBL, the Buck Institute for Education (BIE) is dedicated to improving 21st Century teaching and learning throughout the world by creating and disseminating products, practices and knowledge for effective PBL. The BIE website has a host of information including videos, resources, research, and more about PBL.
Edutopia
Edutopia is hosted by The George Lucas Educational Foundation and is dedicated to improving the K-12 learning process by documenting, disseminating, and advocating for innovative, replicable, and evidence-based strategies that prepare students to thrive in their future education, careers, and adult lives.
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