Project-based learning (PBL) is a teaching method in which students learn academic content through a project that immerses them in authentic and engaging work to answer a question or solve a real-world problem. Over the course of a project, teachers are intentional in their approach to make the project student-centered--bringing student voice and choice in their work.
Teachers take specific steps to develop a PBL unit to engage students in deeper learning.
In PBL, teachers:
begin with academic standards and the interests of their students to plan the unit.
develop a guiding question that students will explore and work to answer over the course of a project.
guide students through various lessons, activities, and assessments, to learn standards-based content and work through ways to create a product to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding to a public audience. Presenting their learning to an authentic audience beyond the classroom helps students understand that their work is relevant to others and encourages them to work with more determination because they know they will be teaching others about their issue.
hold a public exhibition of learning where students share what they have learned over the course of their project to an audience--including other students and faculty members, their families, and members of the wider community.
With PBL now at Roosevelt Elementary, students will deepen the work they are already doing through their Math, Science, and Technology program, publicly share their learning with others, and make an impact on their local community.