Project-based learning encourages students to demonstrate their learning in ways that are deeper and more enduring than tests or standard essays. Here are few specific strategies to help students excel when it comes time to share their skills and knowledge. Use a presentation checklist Unless your project is specifically focused on presentation or communication skills, […]
Consortium offers April training program in Project-Based Learning
Our Project-Based Learning (PBL) team will offer a virtual opportunity to learn the basics of PBL beginning Tuesday, April 20th and continuing for half days on Tuesdays through May 11th. The program will focus on the 10 design elements of PBL, with a goal of giving participants the baseline understanding needed to take the methodology […]
Is PBL the Best Way to Teach?
Short answer: Sometimes. Also: It depends. When teaching trinomials: Probably not. And quite honestly: This question is irrelevant and should be relegated to the PBL discourse trash bin. I apologize, folks; today’s post is a bit of a rant because I just read this question in yet another article debating the merits of PBL, and […]
Two Design Methods to Bring Students’ Ideas to Life (Part VI of a series)
This is my last post in a series on the valuable role that design thinking plays in bringing project-based learning to life in the classroom. I’ve talked about methods for research, brainstorming, feedback, and collaborative decision-making; in this final post, I’ll discuss two methods that help students develop and communicate their PBL ideas so that […]
Three Design Methods to Guide Student Decision-Making (Part V of a series)
A few weeks ago I began writing about the impact that design thinking can have on project-based learning, particularly in terms of taking PBL from theory to actual classroom practice. In this post, I’ll share three design methods that encourage convergent thinking, or determining which ideas are best suited to solve a given problem. Be […]
Three Design Methods to Spark Student Brainstorming (Part IV of a series)
A few weeks ago I began writing about the impact that design thinking can have on project-based learning, particularly in terms of taking PBL from theory to actual classroom practice. In this post, I’ll share three design methods that encourage divergent thinking, or broad brainstorming. Be sure to check out the explainer videos for step-by-step […]
Two Design Methods to Jumpstart Student Research (Part III of a series)
I recently began writing about the impact that design thinking can have on project-based learning, particularly in terms of taking PBL from theory to actual classroom practice. In this post, I’ll share two design methods that pair well together for student project research. Be sure to check out the explainer videos for step-by-step tutorials! Method […]
Two Design Methods to Bolster Student Feedback Sessions (Part II of a series)
Last week I began writing about the impact that design thinking can have on project-based learning, particularly in terms of taking PBL from theory to actual classroom practice. Here are two favorite methods to support the feedback and revision phase of your projects. Be sure to check out the explainer videos for a step-by-step tutorial! […]
Design Thinking: Bridging the Gap in PBL Theory & Practice (Part I of a series)
Project-based learning always sounds great in theory. But as many of us know, it doesn’t actually stick when it comes time to change instruction. One reason is that we often don’t bridge the gap between theory and actual practice. The first time I learned about PBL, I was sold. Period. And then I had no […]
5 PBL Do’s and Don’ts for Administrators
We’ve had the privilege to work with hundreds of PBL educators across many school systems; here are a few pieces of advice for any administrators who want to embed project-based learning into their schools: Do’s Start by educating yourself about PBL. This will demonstrate your commitment to the work while making you better equipped to […]
