Project Based Learning (PBL)
A DYNAMIC APPROACH TO TEACHING AND LEARNING:
PBL:
- Engages students in exploring their world through the inquiry process.
- Structures subjects around a question or a real world problem to solve.
- Teaches students to research, plan, design and create a product or presentation of what they learned.
- Includes collaborative student work on projects, in small teams, guided by the teacher.
- Offers a choice to the currently used model of direct instruction.
CLICK HERE FOR A COMPARISON OF PBL AND DIRECT INSTRUCTION
HOW WILL I KNOW IF PBL IS RIGHT FOR ME OR MY CHILD?
You or your child may be interested in PBL if you:
MORE ABOUT PROJECT BASED LEARNING
In a project based learning school students learn by researching, designing and implementing a project to answer a real world problem, meet a challenge, or serve a community interest. Teachers organize the curriculum into themes and develop projects with questions or challenges to be solved. To meet the challenge, or solve the problem, students work in project teams and are guided by their teacher to find the information they need to plan their project. Students are encouraged to find ideas and answers to their questions from multiple sources such as books, the internet, as well as community resources and experts. Teachers work with students to provide instruction and skills needed by students as they complete their project. Projects are varied according to student interests and ideas. Students may complete a task such as preparing, building and installing informational signs for a school forest nature trail that explains the wildlife of the area. Others may design and publish a web page or a diorama that provides information about the history of the community. Students apply what they have learned in a way that is both useful and dynamic.
What are some examples of projects?
Each of the following examples require that students develop reading, writing and communication skills as well as learn and apply content in social studies, science, math and art. In addition they learn collaboration, problem solving and creativity, which are important 21st Century Skills.
Want to more about PBL? Visit the Buck Institute for education at www.BIE.org.
School District of Ashland Website www.ashland.k12.wi.us
You or your child may be interested in PBL if you:
- want greater choice in their learning.
- want to work in groups and have more independence.
- want to make and design things that show what they learn.
MORE ABOUT PROJECT BASED LEARNING
In a project based learning school students learn by researching, designing and implementing a project to answer a real world problem, meet a challenge, or serve a community interest. Teachers organize the curriculum into themes and develop projects with questions or challenges to be solved. To meet the challenge, or solve the problem, students work in project teams and are guided by their teacher to find the information they need to plan their project. Students are encouraged to find ideas and answers to their questions from multiple sources such as books, the internet, as well as community resources and experts. Teachers work with students to provide instruction and skills needed by students as they complete their project. Projects are varied according to student interests and ideas. Students may complete a task such as preparing, building and installing informational signs for a school forest nature trail that explains the wildlife of the area. Others may design and publish a web page or a diorama that provides information about the history of the community. Students apply what they have learned in a way that is both useful and dynamic.
What are some examples of projects?
Each of the following examples require that students develop reading, writing and communication skills as well as learn and apply content in social studies, science, math and art. In addition they learn collaboration, problem solving and creativity, which are important 21st Century Skills.
- Third graders dig deep into the history of their neighborhood through interviews, research and field trips, then create museum exhibits in the school library.
- Fourth graders decide to save a local endangered species by starting a conversation effort and restore creek habitat
- Fifth graders learn to collect data and display data and plot points on a graph as they figure out which cell phone plan is best for their family and prepare a presentation to their parents and classmates.
Want to more about PBL? Visit the Buck Institute for education at www.BIE.org.
School District of Ashland Website www.ashland.k12.wi.us
