Research

PBL has been around for a long time, and the sites below offer educational research and resources to help implement it in your own classroom.

1. Hmelo-Silver, Cindy E. “Problem-Based Learning: What and How Do Students Learn?” Educational Psychology Review, vol. 16, no. 3, 2004, pp. 235-266. ResearchGate
Cindy Hmelo-Silver’s article, “Problem-Based Learning: What and How Do Students Learn?” provides a definitive explanation of what PBL is and how it is implemented. Hmelo-Silver begins the article with an outline of what a PBL consists of, including a chart that illustrates the process.

2. Brown, Heather. “Walking into the Unknown: Inquiry-Based Learning Transforms the English Classroom.” The English Journal, vol. 94, no. 2, 2004, pp. 43-48.
Heather Brown’s “Walking into the Unknown: Inquiry-Based Learning Transforms the English Classroom” is one of the few articles that specifically addresses high school English classrooms and problem-based learning. Brown’s documentation of using PBL to help her Tohono O’oodham students research and discover their Native American heritage.

3. Edutopia: New Research Makes Powerful Case for PBL (February 2021)

More recent research on the efficacy of problem/project-based learning and how the use of problem/project-based learning in both on-level and GT/AP classrooms can increase student achievement in critical thinking skills and learning retention.

4. Cornell University - Problem-Based Learning

University-based information on the basics of using problem-based learning to teach collaboration and to support student learning and retention.

While hexagonal thinking as a classroom tool is still relatively new with little hard research as to whether it truly works in learning retention, the sites below provide templates, sources, and instructions on how to try it with your own classes!
1. Hexagonal Thinking - We Are Teachers

We Are Teachers takes Betsy Potash's original site on hexagonal thinking and gives several real-classroom examples. This is a great site for expanding your knowledge of hexagonal thinking and how to adapt it for your own classroom.

2. Hexagonal Thinking - Cult of Pedagogy

Jennifer Gonzalez's interview with Betsy Potash regarding hexagonal thinking. This expands a bit on the basics of hexagonal thinking and how to adapt it for any subject-matter classroom.

3. Hexagonal Thinking - Spark Creativity

The original site for hexagonal thinking. Betsy Potash's site introduced many teachers to the concept of hexagonal thinking to elevate student learning.

4. Using Hexagonal Thinking to Deepen Conversations - Edutopia

Another great site that breaks down the basics and gives several hyperlinked resources for teachers to adapt for their own classroom.

5. Hexagonal Thinking - New South Wales Department of Education

Tools and templates for implementing hexagonal thinking in your classroom. Easily adaptable!