A Brief Introduction to
PROJECT BASED LEARNING
WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER ABOUT WHAT YOU
LEARNED IN MS?
WHY?
WHAT THE RESEARCH BASE SAYS:
Boaler (2002) “the project-based-learning
school significantly outperformed the
traditional-school students..’
Thomas (2000) “this approach enhances the
quality of student learning compared with other
instructional methods.”
WHAT THE 6GC’S PBL INITIATIVE IS NOT:
Projects replacing tests and quizzes
Lots of research and work at home
Trips to the craft store
WHAT IT IS:
More “hands-on” learning
More real world connection
More creating and publishing
WE ARE POISED TO DO GREAT THINGS
One to One Initiative
Modified Block Schedule
Integrated Technology Instruction
New Building/Walk-able Outdoor Classroom
Common Planning Period for Core Subject Area
Teachers
Supportive Parent Base
Workshop from the Experts (Buck Institute)
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PBL AND A
PROJECT?
students learning to tackle realistic problems
as they would in the real world
increased student control over his or her
learning
teachers serving as coaches and facilitators of
inquiry and reflection
students (usually, but not always) working in
pairs or groups
Emphasis on creation and publication
CONTAINS MOST OR ALL:
OUR GOALS
Two Signature Interdisciplinary Projects (All
Kids)
One Signature Technology Project by Your
Discipline (All Kids)
Integrated Digital Information technology and
device is the thread (helps access, bind, and
create new learning) that ties it all together
AN EXAMPLE OF AN INTERDISCIPLINARY
PROJECT
“Guardians of the Brandywine”
Science, Social Studies, Literature, Writing and
IDIT
OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT:
Project Timeline
March 2015
Literature Class:
Students will read an environmental themed novel, non-
fiction articles and persuasive essays about the
importance of clean water for health, economic and
recreational purposes.
Social Studies:
Students will study the geographical influence of water
sources and waterways on settlement patterns; and
specifically, local settlement patterns and history.
OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT:
Environmental Science:
Students will learn about the local watershed,
water pollutants and the sources of pollutants.
They will learn about chemicals used to detect
pollutants. Students will take a virtual tour of a
local water treatment facility, and read about the
cost of cleansing the water supply and sewage
systems. They will learn about the impact of
pollutants on human health, wildlife and
recreation.
OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT:
April
Environmental Science:
Students will travel to a pre-assigned section of
a local creek, where they will use water testing
kits to measure pollutants and determine the
“health” of the local creek. Students will
record their readings to be mapped later.
OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT:
Integrated Digital Information Technology:
Students will use programs/apps to prepare an
interactive digital map of local water quality. This
baseline reading will be published to the worldwide web.
May
Writing:
Students will use components of persuasive
speech/argument to compose public service
announcements, multimedia presentations, songs,
newspaper articles, blog entries or another creative
medium on the importance of maintaining clean local
waterways.
OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT:
Integrated Digital Information Technology:
Students will use Web 2.0 technology to create
video (iMovie), presentation software (Prezi,
Powerpoint, etc.), and other digital applications
for publishing out to the community and world.
OVERARCHING GOAL
Students see connections between disciplines,
they learn to solve real world problems, and
they create new learning – for themselves and
others.
HOW CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT PBL?
Two websites/organizations are outstanding
sources of information on Project Based
Learning:
Edutopia
Buck Institute for Education
