What is project-based learning?
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Definition of Project-Based Learning
“Project-Based Learning obligates students to work on a project over an extended period of time while engaging them to solve a relevant, authentic-world problem or answer a perplexing question which results in a public product or presentation for a real-world audience.”
Adapted from pblworks.org
What are the goals of PBL?
Project-Based Learning endeavors for students to achieve a more comprehensive knowledge and understanding of a topic or issue while also developing and improving critical skills.
The student learning goals for PBL projects include standards-based content as well as various skills such as analytical thinking, problem-solving, communication, self-management, project management, and collaboration
Key Components of a Successful PBL Project
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Challenging Question/ Problem
Successful projects contain a meaningful problem to be solved or an authentic and driving question.
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Sustained Inquiry
During successful projects, students engage in a rigorous extended process of posing questions, finding resources, and applying information
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Authenticity
Successful projects involve real-world tasks/tools, quality standards, and has an impact on the world and students' lives.
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Student Voice and Choice
Students have significant say in successful PBL projects such as what they create and are able to express their own ideas in their own voice.
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Reflection
A successful project permits students and teachers to reflect on the learning, effectiveness of their inquiry, activities, quality of work, and obstacles that arise as well as strategies to overcome them.
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Critique and Revision
A successful project has students give, recover, and apply feedback to improve their processes and products.
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Collaboration
Successful projects incorporate aspects of full team-based learning with collaboration serving as an integral component.
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Public Product
Successful projects contain an exceptional public product by sharing their work and explaining it to people outside the classroom.
Project-Based Learning Projects v.s. Doing Regular Projects
Images from pblworks.com
Project-Based Learning is considered a "main-course" project because it contains the structure that permits the student to learn. On the other hand, regular projects are considered "dessert projects" because they are done after traditional instruction to complement the unit.
Images from pblworks.com
Connections Between PBL & Other General Theories
Transformative Learning Theory
•Mezirow's Transformative Learning theory directly relates to Project-Based learning because they both contain particularly impactful learning experiences that leave a lasting impression on students.
•A disorienting dilemma acts as the first step of transformative learning, then critical reflection, rational discourse, and responsive action.
Image from https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Mezirows-10-phases-of-Transformative-Learning_fig1_281612022
Experiential Learning Cycle
•Project-Based Learning is intended to be transformative by intimating the experiential learning cycle
•Similarly to PBL, the experiential learning cycle starts as a concrete experience, then there is a reflectional aspect, and finally the application of what you’ve learned.
•Experience and reflection are fundamental components of both PBL and the Experiential Learning Cycle.