Project-Based Learning
- 2. Project-based learning is an approach in which students work together for an extended period of time to respond to engaging challenges (BIE, 2016).
- 3. Students can explore real-world problems while developing cross- curriculum skills (edutopia, 2016).
- 4. Students develop confidence as they improve their organizational and research skills (edutopia, 2016).
- 5. Why should teachers use project-based learning in the classroom?
- 6. According to the Buck Institute for Education, there are 7 reasons to incorporate PBL in your classroom (BIE, 2016):
- 7. 1. PBL makes school more engaging for students. Students are active in a project that is relevant to their world.
- 8. 2. PBL improves learning. Students have a deeper learning, so they can apply what they know to new situations.
- 9. 3. PBL builds success skills for college, career, and life. In a project, students take initiative, build confidence, work in teams, communicate ideas, and solve problems.
- 10. 4. PBL helps address standards. Common Core emphasizes real-world application of knowledge and skills. PBL is an effective way to meet these goals.
- 11. 5. PBL provides opportunities for students to use technology. Students can use a variety of tech tools to find resources, create products, and connect with others.
- 12. 6. PBL makes teaching more enjoyable and rewarding. Teachers can work closely with engaged students doing meaningful work which can be very gratifying.
- 13. 7. PBL connects students and schools with communities and the real world. Projects empower students to make a difference by solving real problems and addressing real issues.
- 14. Example of a PBL project:
- 15. Historic Figures and Heroism Project (Reed): This is a third grade group biography project that goes beyond the who, what, when, where, and why.
- 16. Historic Figures and Heroism Project: 21st Century Skills such as critical thinking, communicating, collaborating and being creative are required for this project.
- 17. Historic Figures and Heroism Project: The biography should be a true story about a person who made a difference.
- 18. Historic Figures and Heroism Project: Students will read and gather data on a person that interests them. They will then determine if this person made a difference and how it was done.
- 19. Historic Figures and Heroism Project: Students will explain what a hero is and defend why or why not their person qualifies.
- 20. Class 1: • review how to identify and locate biographies • work together as a class as the teacher models how to fill in some biography questions • have students choose a biography to read for the project
- 21. Sample questions to be modeled: • What is the name of your person? • When was your person born? • What was your person’s occupation? • What are three things you learned about your person? • Did your person make a difference? How? • What is the definition of a hero? • Is your person a hero? Why or why not? • Did your person overcome any obstacles?
- 22. Class 2: • students are put into groups and must make a written definition of hero • students will take on different roles such as researcher, writer, and editor • the groups come together to make one definition of hero as a class
- 23. Class 3: • students work independently to complete the biography questions using both print and electronic resources • students gather images and videos to accompany the text about their person
- 24. Class 4: • students return to their groups to determine which information they would like to use • students decide if their person fits the definition of hero, and agree on evidence to support their choice
- 25. Class 5: • after gathering the information, students decide which facts will best highlight their persons life, and which ones will prove whether their person is a hero or not • students incorporate the images and videos into a sequence that easily conveys the groups standpoint
- 26. Class 6: • once a plan is laid out, students will create a VoiceThread about their person • they will incorporate text, images, video, and voice recording onto their slides
- 27. Class 7: • students will look at and comment on the VoiceThreads of other groups
- 28. Class 8: • students will use the Think-Pair-Share technique to reflect upon the project and discuss their likes and dislikes • students will complete a self-assessment questionnaire
- 29. Citations: What is Project Based Learning (PBL)? (2016). Retrieved from https://www.bie.org/about/what_pbl Why Teach with Project-Based Learning?: Providing Students With a Well-Rounded Classroom Experience. (2008, February 28). Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/project-learning-introduction Reed. (2013, January). Grade Four Biography Project. Retrieved from http://www2.newton.k12.ma.us/~jen_reed/FOVI-000573779/FOVI-0005E3BA/FOVI- 000507CC/?OpenItemURL=S0785B954-0785B9A6