Project-Based Learning

Diving into deeper learning

Marc Chun at TEDx Denver

The complex issues we face today require a key set of problem-solving skills. How can schools best prepare students to be ready to take on these challenges? How can they help ensure students have the "deeper learning" skills of critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and metacognition, as well as have the content knowledge they need? Presented by Marc Chun, Education Program Officer at the Hewlett Foundation.

Building Blocks of Project-Based Learning

Discover the building blocks of project-based learning (PBL). By understanding the basis of PBL, teachers see how the process supports Deeper Learning.

www.teachingchannel.org/videos/pbl-building-blocks-ntn

www.teachingchannel.org/videos/about-pbl-ntn

Milton Chen on Project-Based Learning

Hear from an educational media expert the benefits of project-based learning. Milton Chen talks about team teaching, collaborative classrooms and the Common Core and how to use them in a PBL school environment.

Solving real-world problems: Bringing authentic context to learning

The perfect problem connects content, student interest, and an authentic context.

Essential Elements of Project-based Learning

Five Keys to Project-Based Learning

Well-designed project-based learning (PBL) has been shown to result in deeper learning and more engaged, self-directed learners.

For more information, visit Edutopia's PBL page.

1. Establishing Real-World connections in projects

Students are more engaged when learning relates directly to the world they live in. See how to extend your projects beyond classroom walls.

For more information, visit Edutopia's PBL page.

2. Building rigorous projects that are core to learning

Project-based learning doesn't mean leaving standards behind. Follow these tips to plan projects that challenge your students and align with core learning goals.

For more information, visit Edutopia's PBL page.

3. Structuring Collaboration for student success

PBL provides a unique opportunity to help students practice critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity. Learn how to optimize the environment for teamwork in your classroom.

For more information, visit Edutopia's PBL page.

4. Facilitating learning in a student-driven environment

When they are directly involved in planning and steering projects, students are more invested in their learning. Get ideas for empowering your students to work independently.

For more information, visit Edutopia's PBL page.

5. Embedding Assessment throughout Project

Assessment can be integrated seamlessly into project-based learning. Find tools for measuring student understanding from the beginning to the end of a project.

Six Steps to Design, Implement and Assess

Project-Based Learning Steps

Webinars

PBL in K-2 (Approx. 50 min)

In this Webinar, we will explore how the 8 Essential Elements of PBL apply to the K-2 classroom with projects that ignite curiosity in young children and provide the framework to dive deeply into rich, engaging topics, generate questions, explore, draw inferences, and create developmentally appropriate products to demonstrate knowledge, understanding, and skill.

Project Planning Resources

Essential_Project_Design_Elements.pdf

Essential Project Design Elements Checklist

ProjectDesignOverviewSLG2016.doc

Project Design Overview Template

Project_Design_Rubric_vMay2017.pdf

Project Design Rubric

FreeBIEs_Project_Calendar_PDF.pdf

Project Calendar Template

Project_Assessment_Map_1.pdf

Project Assessment Map

Sample Projects

project_design_wars.pdf

Design Wars: Language Arts PBL

Student design teams will be given a client and their role is to design a bag that will meet the specific needs of that client, such as a new bag for soccer or to carry school supplies, etc. Teams will create client surveys to understand their client’s needs. They will engage in the Design Thinking process to plan, prototype and create their bag out of re-purposed materials. Students will explore the concept of meeting specific needs with natural resources by learning from California Native People (Social Studies connection). During the client pitch, teams will explain their thinking in design and material choices, as well as how they used feedback from the client, and our experts, equipment designers from The North Face. Once students have pitched to their clients, the entire grade will hold a sales meeting where they will present their products to parents and community members in hopes of auctioning off their completed bags.

Save the Beach

When California cut its budget for water quality testing, these San Diego high school students were charged with figuring out how to test the water quality on their own, then educate the public about ways they could protect and improve water quality in their daily lives. This project engaged student learning in two content areas: science knowledge was required to study the problem and develop solutions, and English language arts skills were needed to effectively communicate their ideas to the public.