An Overview of Project Based Learning

What is project-based learning?

Project-based learning (PBL) is a student-centered, inquiry-based model of learning. PBL is successful when students choose their topics of learning, emopowering them ownership over their learning. The project is integrated into different areas of the curriculum, infusing learning with real world application.

The Buck Institute has a Gold Standard for PBL. There are seven essential design elements. They state without these elements, students are not rigorous enough to be truely PBL. The other problematic outcomes may lead to time wasted and overall frustration from the teacher and students. They warn against a flimsy model of PBL, afraid of it becoming another educational "fad."

PBL must be goal-oriented in order to be successful. Their projects should be connected to real world problems and 21st century-skills. Students should rely on skills learned previously to conduct their research. And, most importantly, reflection and revision should play a major role in their projects before they present.

How does technology support project-based learning?

Students learn how to develop research questions and use the internet, books, and real people to research their questions and conjectures.  Within their planning, students may use websites such as MindMeister for MindMapping and Google Docs for group collaboration. They will use online presentation resources such as Google Slides, Prezi, and Canva.

What resources will I need to implement PBL?

To be successful, students must have access to technology, books, and other recourses that will teach them about their topic. Teachers may need to reach out to community members and other experts to provide real world examples and application. For example, if you are learning about bridges, you may want to reach out to an engineer. Especially after the age of Zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is all too easy to do this! Websites such as Skype a Scientist allow teachers to set up meetings with all sorts of different scientists from all over the world. Teachers may also look into funding to complete field trips for students to learn outside of the classroom. While many field trips could be free for students, such as visiting a local grocery store or fire station, often transportation needs to be arranged. This is where the funding may come into play.

Examples of project-based learning

Newsome Park Elementary school, Virginia - More Fun Than a Barrel of ... Worms? 

Project-based learning was used to engage students and increase school attendance. Students work with a goal in sight, whether is researching the cure for cystic fibrosis, learning about the New York Stock Exchange through creating their own business, or creating a living museum about nocturnal animals. Students work together to research, brainstorm, and present their findings. 

While true integration of all content areas can be done, it takes lots of planning on the part of the teacher. Patty Vreeland says in the article, "We've got to know our curriculum. We've got to know the standards inside and out." Not only do teachers have to be 100% bought into the learning, but children MUST have buy in to make the experience meaningful.

Newsome Park uses a specific model for their projects, which keeps all the classrooms consistnt. They use a three phase approach. 

• Phase 1 - the questioning phase where students discuss what topic they would like to research and brainstorm goals they could work towards
• Phase 2  - the field work and research phase where students may go on field trips, talk to experts, and use technology and books to research their topic
• Phase 3 - the presenation phase where they may present their research to their classmates, the school, or even community members

Newsome Park explains that their overall testing scores increased between the years of 1997 and 2000, citing that fifth graders' scores increased anywhere from 20-30 percentile points.

Mountlake Terrace High School, Washington - Geometry Students Angle into Architecture Through Project Learning

In this high school example, a geometry teacher takes her final few weeks of the year for students to apply their geometry learning. The students create a plan and model for a future high school. Students are able to consult with their teacher and other math experts. Real architects provide part of their score and present the best teams with a "contract" for their plan. Students are scored with an extensive rubric, where each part of their learning is measured.

This example of PBL may be more managable for many teachers. While it is integrative, requiring students to draw from all aspects of their education, it is not taught across the whole curriculum like in the Newsome Park example. Personally, I love the idea of teaching using a PBL model across my day, but it would not be possible in many classrooms. The Mountlake Terrace example, being contained to just part of the day, may be easier to swollow for many administrations, too. I think it is a great summative assessment, allowing students to show what they learned throughout the class. To me, this was the best example of the Buck Institute's Gold Standard for Project-Based Learning.

Rockledge Elementary School, Maryland - March of the Monarchs: Students Follow the Butterflies' Migration

Global-learning is modeled in this example of PBL. Students in Maryland communicate about the migration of Monarch butterflies with students in Mexico. They write letters back and form to track their migration. Students go outside to garden where they measure and graph. They map out the migration using digital tools and paper maps. They observe and predict. Through their project, students hit many standards in reading, writing, math, social studies, and science. They use different types of technology - both low-tech and high-tech. 

This school used a program called Journey North to track the butterflies. This website is still operational 20 years later! They also have projects charting robins, humming birds, seasons, Bald Eagles, whales and many others. 

Resources:

Armstrong, S. (2002). Geometry students angle into architecture through project learning. Edutopia. Retrieved from: http://www.edutopia.org/geometry-real-world-students-architects

Curtis, D. (2001). More fun than a barrel of . . . worms?!. Edutopia. Retreived from: http://www.edutopia.org/more-fun-barrel-worms

Curtis, D. (2002). March of the monarchs: Students follow the butterflies' migration. Edutopia. Retrieved from: http://www.edutopia.org/march-monarchs

Larmer, J. (2020). PBL gold standards. Buck Institute. Retrieved from: https://www.pblworks.org/blog/gold-standard-pbl-essential-project-design-elements