Beyond the textbook: building real-world skills with Project-Based Learning
Classroom engagement will always be an essential (and challenging) part of the student experience. One study shows nearly half of young students claiming their coursework doesn’t motivate or challenge them. Traditional classroom learning doesn’t always suit some students – or courses. When students struggle to engage with the curriculum, they have a harder time motivating themselves towards meaningful futures that excite them.
Fortunately, schools are innovating the way they engage students by making project-based learning (PBL) a priority in the classroom. With PBL, students have the opportunity to solve real-world problems and explore new ways of learning beyond typical classroom lectures and bookwork. With this hands-on learning approach, students have an easier time connecting with lessons, discovering personal skills, and envisioning a future of meaningful work.
While PBL has proven to be highly effective in increasing engagement and positive student outcomes, it’s not without its challenges. We’ll unpack the pros and cons of PBL, and what educators should know about implementing this method in the classroom.
What is PBL?
Dating back to the early 20th century, PBL materialized as a form of experiential learning, guided by the notion that students learn by doing. John Dewey, Maria Montessori and Jean Piaget were some of the leading voices in PBL, making the case for experiential learning where students move from passive recipients of knowledge to active participants in learning.
The PBL framework used in schools today allows students to explore academic concepts and interdisciplinary skills within the context of a real-world problem. PBL aims to flip the script on rote memorization and exclusive teacher-led instruction by encouraging students to apply their knowledge and skills to a project they find important.
PBL differs from traditional classroom projects (a term paper or presentation, for instance) in that it encompasses the entire unit. While a traditional classroom project helps students summarize a lesson upon its completion, PBL walks students through all elements of the curriculum from start to finish.
What are the elements of PBL?
Although PBL will look different in each classroom, it’s important to include specific elements to maximize its benefits. PBL Works developed a research-informed model that highlights seven critical points in the PBL design process:
A challenging problem or question: The project is centered around a single question or challenge for students to solve.
Sustained inquiry: Students spend significant time gathering information, sorting resources, and asking questions that prompt deeper understanding and investigation.
Authenticity: The project is based on a real-world problem that impacts the students themselves or a larger community and includes relevant tasks, tools, and quality standards.
Student voice and choice: Students learn to take ownership of their learning by making decisions about certain project details.
Reflection: Students reflect on what they’ve learned, evaluate the progress of the project, and address any obstacles.
Critique and revision: Students engage in peer reviews and instructor feedback to improve their solutions.
Public product: Students share their work with the public by presenting it to peers and professionals outside the classroom.
Top benefits of PBL
When implemented successfully, PBL is a powerful tool in engaging students and fostering excitement for their futures. Empowering students to tackle complex challenges is one of the most important ways teachers can help them thrive inside and outside the classroom. Here are three other notable benefits to PBL:
Improves student engagement
When students have a meaningful, real-world problem to solve, they’re often able to connect more deeply with the curriculum than they would with traditional learning methods. This deeper engagement with learning and its relevance to themselves and their communities often translates to stronger student outcomes including better comprehension, participation, and grades.
Supports different learning abilities
Project-based learning levels the playing field for students of all learning abilities in understanding and retaining new concepts. While many students struggle to retain information through traditional bookwork and lectures, PBL empowers students to explore multiple concepts through activities that excite them.
Prepares for life outside the classroom
Project-based learning builds critical life and career skills such as teamwork, problem solving, and the ability to apply multiple concepts to a single project. Introducing these skills in the classroom allows students to uncover their strengths and weaknesses in a supportive, guided environment as they progress closer towards future careers and life outside the classroom.
How to implement PBL in the classroom
While the core concepts of PBL are simple, bringing this method into the classroom involves strategic planning in accordance with academic standards. Let’s walk through how educators can effectively introduce PBL, guided by the Seven Project Based Teaching Practices by PBL Works:
Design and plan
Choose an open-ended question or problem that students will solve throughout the duration of the project. Develop a project pathway for how students will solve the problem, including project activities and final presentations. Make some room for student input to promote engagement from the outset.
Align to standards
Identify the academic standards you need to meet for the unit, and incorporate key subjects and learning objectives into the project plan. Make these objectives clear to students, and affirm what students will gain from them.
Build the culture
Fostering student buy-in to PBL is an ongoing process, starting with a foundation of respect, collaboration, and supportive communication. Encourage students to build a positive culture by offering individual activities and group work that promote these traits, along with student ownership, team spirit, and attention to quality.
Manage activities
Work with students to identify the routines and protocols that will guide them through project activities. The goal is to foster students’ personal and team management skills by offering the tools they need to effectively organize tasks, meet deadlines, find resources, and collaborate with others in each activity.
Scaffold student learning
Break down complex learning activities into manageable steps to help students understand key concepts in an accessible and equitable way. Scaffold inquiry by guiding students towards effective ways to ask questions and arrive at conclusions.
Assess student learning
Use frequent formative assessments to measure how students are progressing towards specific benchmarks, whether it’s concept retention or how they perform as communicators and critical thinkers. Assessments can come from teachers, peers, or professionals outside the school. Make sure to provide a clear criteria for success in each assessment.
Engage and coach
Make an ongoing effort to know each students’ capabilities and look for opportunities to encourage and celebrate their progress. Remind students of the end goal of the project, keeping them focused on the smaller tasks ahead of them.
Tips for success in PBL
While following the framework above is sure to set you up for success in a PBL classroom, there are some additional tips to consider as you design your project and navigate challenges:
Plan thoroughly
Map out each step of your project and plan for logistics that require more preparation, such as coordinating which professionals will visit your school and who your project’s “client” will be. Incorporate intentional room for flexibility within your plan to account for student input.
Keep the end in mind
As students progress further into the semester, it’s not uncommon to lose some of the momentum and excitement they had at the project outset. Encourage students to stay motivated by orienting project activities towards the final question, reminding them of the end goal and the significance of their efforts.
Assess student growth
While quantitative assessments are a valuable indicator of student progress, qualitative assessments are often more applicable in a PBL environment where personal student growth is a primary focus. Use frequent qualitative assessments to keep track of how students are improving their interdisciplinary skills whether it’s communication, confidence, time management, or teamwork.
Common challenges in PBL and how to overcome them
While following a solid PBL framework will prevent many challenges, it’s not uncommon to hit a few roadblocks throughout the semester. Here are some common challenges and solutions to be aware of as you begin your PBL unit:
Uneven collaboration
Group work is an essential element of PBL, but this structure can lead to uneven participation. To keep participation as equal as possible, begin each activity by assigning clear roles and creating accountability measures to keep each student on track.
Poor project quality
Students participating in PBL are still learning what project quality looks like, and how they can deliver this themselves. Make sure students understand the real-world implications of their projects, and build a culture of quality work from the beginning.
Inviting outside participants
Inviting community members and professionals to participate in your project can pose practical challenges, but educators can mitigate many of these obstacles with some creative outreach methods. For example, consider utilizing personal networks and contacting local organizations with educational outreach departments.
How Xello helps
Educators can use Xello Portfolios and Lessons to support their PBL efforts and inspire students to stay on track. With Portfolios, students can organize their work, reflect on project activities, and showcase their progress by adding their own media and journal entries. Instructors can easily view each students’ portfolio to track progress and share with other departments. Here’s an article highlighting how one educator is using Xello Portfolios in a PBL-style class.
Xello’s personalized, interactive lessons prepare students for many of the skills they’ll need within their PBL unit and beyond. With additional lesson resources and subject area resources, educators can help students respond to complex challenges, build self-advocacy, and discover new skills.
For more support in your PBL program, contact one of our Education Specialists to book a personalized demo of Xello.
