What is PBL?

PBL is an instructional approach that engages students in authentic learning activities designed to answer a question or solve a problem. Students learn 21st century skills as they learn core content through rigorous, hands-on experiences. Unlike projects that are sent home in addition to the “real” work, in a PBL environment, projects are the centerpieces of the lesson. Teaching occurs through the project, rather than teaching and then doing a project. PBL is the main course, not the dessert. Students use technology tools in ways that professionals do – to communicate, collaborate, research, analyze, create, and publish their work for authentic audiences.

What is PBL at Drew ?

PBL is the instructional ecosystem that we develop through a variety of strategies. Students collaborate and think critically to answer challenging, authentic questions and solve problems that allow them to apply core content in meaningful and relevant ways. Within this ecosystem you may see a variety of instructional strategies utilized.

It’s important to remember that PBL is a process, not a program. Rather than thinking of PBL and Drew’s relationship with the Buck Institute or New Tech Network as rigid rules to follow, the goal for Drew is that students master 21st century skills and learning outcomes within this ecosystem. No one classroom will provide these opportunities in isolation or completion. As a school, we must collaborate to ensure that our students receive the opportunities they need to be successful in K-12 and beyond.

In the simplest terms, students do the thinking. Rather than being presented with information, students are presented with a problem or a challenge. They ask questions and synthesize information to analyze, evaluate and solve these problems or challenges.

-Drew Charter EA PBL

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