Promoting an Iterative Process

Learning through projects is a dynamic process.

Teachers who implement project-based learning coach students through an iterative process or cycle. The cycle includes these elements:

1. Supporting production - Teachers monitor student progress as they produce their projects. Teachers give students feedback through formative assessment.

2. Helping students give and respond to feedback from others - Not only the teacher gives feedback in project-based learning. Other students, community members, or an audience may provide feedback, too. However, teachers must help their students to:

   • give feedback to their peers

   • think about the feedback that they receive on their project

   • respond to feedback appropriately

Teachers demonstrate to students how to respond to feedback from others. This is part of Communication and Cultural Awareness in the national English curriculum.

3. Reflection - Throughout the process of conducting a project, teachers provide examples of reflection. How can suggestions from peers (classmates) help us to improve our project? What might we change to make the project work better?

4. Revision - Effective teachers help students improve their work, throughout the process. Feedback and reflection help students to revise their work. Analytic rubrics provide clear expectations for students and can be adapted to checklists for peer-review and self-assessment.

Resources

Ongoing assessment is part of the iterative process. The videos and tools below demonstrate ways that assessment guides teaching and learning. Click here for resources related to assessment.