PBL is a teaching method where students work on a project over an extended period. The project involves solving a real-world problem or answering a complex question, and it is presented to a real audience. As a result, the students develop deep content knowledge, critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication skills.

Project Based Learning (PBL)

A "dessert" project is given after the teacher covered the content of a unit. In contrast, the PBL project is the means for teaching important knowledge and skills.

The difference between PBL and "doing a project"

Essential project design elements provide a framework for projects: <ol><li>A challenging problem or question</li><li>Sustained inquiry</li><li>Authenticity. It is a real-world problem.</li><li>Student voice and choice. The students make the decisions.</li><li>Reflection. Learners and teachers reflect on the learning.</li><li>Critique and revision.</li><li>Public product.</li></ol>

Essential project design elements for PBL

Project based teaching practices: <ol><li>Design and plan</li><li>Align to standards</li><li>Build the culture</li><li>Manage activities</li><li>Scaffold student learning</li><li>Assess student learning</li><li>Engage and coach</li></ol>

Project based teaching practices for PBL

Project Based Learning (PBL) is a teaching method in which students learn by actively engaging in real-world and personally meaningful projects.<h3>In Project Based Learning, teachers make learning come alive for students.</h3>Students work on a project over an extended period of time – from a week up to a semester – that engages them in solving a real-world problem or answering a complex question. They demonstrate their knowledge and skills by creating a public product or presentation for a real audience.As a result, students develop deep content knowledge as well as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication skills. Project Based Learning unleashes a contagious, creative energy among students and teachers.<h4>And in case you were looking for a more formal definition...</h4>Project Based Learning is a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging, and complex question, problem, or challenge.<h3>Watch Project Based Learning in Action</h3>These 7-10 minute videos show the Gold Standard PBL model in action, capturing the nuts and bolts of a PBL unit from beginning to end.<img src="https://www.pblworks.org/sites/default/files/styles/card_medium/public/video-water-sq3.jpg?itok=jGH2H0lk" width="216" height="216" alt="Teacher explaining PBL project"><h3 dir="ltr">How does PBL differ from “doing a project”?</h3>PBL is becoming widely used in schools and other educational settings, with different varieties being practiced. However, there are key characteristics that differentiate "doing a project" from engaging in&nbsp;rigorous Project Based Learning.We find it helpful to distinguish a "dessert project" - &nbsp;a short, intellectually-light project served up after the teacher covers the content of a unit in the usual way - from a "main course" project, in which the project is the unit. In Project Based Learning, the project is the vehicle for teaching the important knowledge and skills student need to learn. The project&nbsp;contains and frames curriculum and instruction.In contrast to dessert projects, PBL requires critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, and various forms of communication. To answer a driving question and create high-quality work, students need to do much more than remember information. They need to use higher-order thinking skills and learn to work as a team.<h3 dir="ltr">The gold standard&nbsp;for high-quality PBL</h3>To help ensure your students are getting the main course&nbsp;and&nbsp;are engaging in quality Project Based Learning, PBLWorks promotes a research-informed model for “Gold Standard PBL.”&nbsp;The Gold Standard PBL model encompasses two useful guides for educators:&nbsp;1)&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pblworks.org/what-is-pbl/gold-standard-project-design" dir="ltr">Seven Essential Project Design Elements</a>&nbsp;provide a framework for developing high quality projects for your classroom, and2)&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pblworks.org/what-is-pbl/gold-standard-teaching-practices" dir="ltr">Seven Project Based Teaching Practices</a>&nbsp;help teachers, schools, and organizations improve, calibrate, and assess their practice.<img alt="Gold Standard PBL. Seven Essential Project Design Elements. Wheel illustration has icons for each of the elements, as outlined below. At center of wheel is Learning Goals – Key Knowledge, Understanding, and Success Skills." src="https://www.pblworks.org/sites/default/files/2019-03/gold_standard_design_0326.png" width="228" height="293"><img alt="Gold Standard PBL. Seven Project Based Teaching Practices. Wheel illustration has icons for each of the elements, as outlined below. At center of wheels is Learning Goals – Key Knowledge, Understanding, and Success Skills." src="https://www.pblworks.org/sites/default/files/2019-04/gold_standard_teaching_0326.png" width="228" height="293">The Gold Standard PBL model aligns with the High Quality PBL Framework. This framework describes what students should be doing, learning, and experiencing in a good project. Learn more&nbsp;at <a href="http://hqpbl.org/" dir="ltr">HQPBL.org</a>.<BLOCKQUOTE><h3>



 Yes, we provide PBL training for educators!
</h3>



 PBLWorks offers a variety of workshops, courses and &nbsp;services for teachers, school and district leaders, and instructional coaches to get started and advance their practice with Project Based Learning.
</BLOCKQUOTE>

Project Based Learning (PBL) is a teaching method in which students learn by actively engaging in real-world and personally meaningful projects.

productivity

Productivity

problemsolving

Problem Solving

Project Based Learning (PBL) is a teaching method in which students learn by actively engaging in real-world and personally meaningful projects.

In Project Based Learning, teachers make learning come alive for students.

Students work on a project over an extended period of time – from a week up to a semester – that engages them in solving a real-world problem or answering a complex question. They demonstrate their knowledge and skills by creating a public product or presentation for a real audience.

As a result, students develop deep content knowledge as well as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication skills. Project Based Learning unleashes a contagious, creative energy among students and teachers.

And in case you were looking for a more formal definition...

Project Based Learning is a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging, and complex question, problem, or challenge.

These 7-10 minute videos show the Gold Standard PBL model in action, capturing the nuts and bolts of a PBL unit from beginning to end.

How does PBL differ from “doing a project”?

PBL is becoming widely used in schools and other educational settings, with different varieties being practiced. However, there are key characteristics that differentiate "doing a project" from engaging in rigorous Project Based Learning.

We find it helpful to distinguish a "dessert project" -  a short, intellectually-light project served up after the teacher covers the content of a unit in the usual way - from a "main course" project, in which the project is the unit. In Project Based Learning, the project is the vehicle for teaching the important knowledge and skills student need to learn. The project contains and frames curriculum and instruction.

In contrast to dessert projects, PBL requires critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, and various forms of communication. To answer a driving question and create high-quality work, students need to do much more than remember information. They need to use higher-order thinking skills and learn to work as a team.

To help ensure your students are getting the main course and are engaging in quality Project Based Learning, PBLWorks promotes a research-informed model for “Gold Standard PBL.”

The Gold Standard PBL model encompasses two useful guides for educators:

1) <a href="https://www.pblworks.org/what-is-pbl/gold-standard-project-design">Seven Essential Project Design Elements </a>  provide a framework for developing high quality projects for your classroom, and

2) <a href="https://www.pblworks.org/what-is-pbl/gold-standard-teaching-practices">Seven Project Based Teaching Practices </a>  help teachers, schools, and organizations improve, calibrate, and assess their practice.

The Gold Standard PBL model aligns with the High Quality PBL Framework . This framework describes what students should be doing, learning, and experiencing in a good project. Learn more at <a href="http://hqpbl.org/">HQPBL.org </a>.

Yes, we provide PBL training for educators!

PBLWorks offers a variety of workshops, courses and  services for teachers, school and district leaders, and instructional coaches to get started and advance their practice with Project Based Learning.

What is PBL?

Project Based Learning (PBL)

The difference between PBL and "doing a project"

Essential project design elements for PBL

Project based teaching practices for PBL

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