What is Project Based Learning
Project Based Learning (PBL) has recently become an extremely popular instructional tool, especially for science and math instructors. I have always been just a fan but never had the opportunity to use or receive professional development surrounding project based learning. Project Based Learning is a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging and complex question, problem, or challenge ("," 2017, para. 1).
Does PBL Work
Does PBL work? That's the most important question. Fortunately, I have heard quite a few different reviews about project based learning. However, the majority of the reviews have been positive. During this current school year, I have had the opportunity to speak with a few school leaders about their experience implementing project-based learning, its impact on their scholars and end of year results. Renfroe Middle Schools Principal, Principal Clark, stated the addition of PBL has drastically increased rigor and the end of year performance for the scholars during my observation and visit earlier this school year. Although, Drew Charter School has also adopted the PBL model it has not seen the same success as Renfroe middle it saw a steady increase in their end of the year assessments according to Drew Middle school's principal Leaphart.
I believe PBL did correctly can be an effective instructional tool that can boost rigor, achievement, and engagement but it will require buy-in from teachers and effective professional development. What has been your experience with PBL? Please mention any pros and cons of PBL you've experienced or even heard about
References
What is Project Based Learning (PBL)? (2017). Retrieved from https://www.bie.org/about/what_pbl
I enjoyed PBL when I was in a traditional school. I taught science and found that PBLs increased rigor and critical thinking skills. I used the concept in Anatomy & Physiology where the were small projects for each system that were pieces to the final big project at the end where the students worked on a case study/problem in body to devise a solution. I was encouraged to expand PBL beyond my classroom, but found few teachers (to none) were willing to join in with the planning. I did learn, through trial and error, that what I thought was a great PBL, was sometimes just a project.
ReplyDeleteI had high school students and I thoroughly enjoyed watching students have "a-ha" moments while solving problems or working to solve problems. PBL can work on any grade level, I feel. You have a great resource in the Buck Institute site.
Locust Grove Middle School is another school that uses PBL successfully. Their end of the year performance shows the results. They also implement personalized learning with PBL and the students are doing magnificent! When touring the school, I forgot I was in a middle school with the level of engagement observed.