Project Based

Learning
JUSTIN BLIETZ

What is PBL?

PBL is defined as a systematic teaching method that

engages students in learning knowledge and skills
through an extended inquiry process structured
around complex, authentic questions and carefully
designed products and tasks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmwwrGV_aiE

Why PBL?

In our evolving society it is clear children need both

knowledge and skills

PBL is an attempt to create new instructional practices

that reflect the environment in which children now live
and learn

Essential Components

Significant Content

21st Century Skills

In-depth Inquiry

Driving Question

Need to Know

Voice and Choice

Revision and Reflection

Public Audience

Common Misconceptions

PBL is not: the dessert

PBL is: the main course

PBL is not: hands on learning or doing an activity

PBL is: an intellectually challenging task which

products focus on research, reading, writing,
discussion and oral presentation.

Guiding Steps

1. Begin with the End in Mind Great projects begin with

planning the end result

2. Craft the Driving Question use the content standards to

create a significant, meaningful question that engages students
and helps them focus their efforts through the project

3. Plan the Assessment Every project should be driven by the

key outcomes (content, skills and habits) students are expected
to learn

4. Map the Project Analyze instructional needs, planning

activities, estimating time, and gathering resources for the
project

5. Manage the Process - manage by using tools and strategies

the bring structure and accountability to the process.

Research

Project based learning has an effect size of .15 (Hattie 2008)

Vernon and Blake found that when assessing surface knowledge,

project based learning can have limited and even negative
effects. (1993).

Dochy, Segers, Van den Bossche and Gibels (2003) found PBL
had an overall negative effect on knowledge but noted a positive
effect on skills (d=.66)

Research

Students taught using project based learning had less knowledge

but better recall of the knowledge they had (Hattie 2008)

It is the application and principles underlying the knowledge,

rather than the concepts or knowledge, that are most influenced
by PBL (Gijbels et al., 2005, p.45)

Resources

Buck Institute offers an abundance of free online PBL

resources and online professional development
opportunities centered around PBL

Examples

PBL Starter Kit

Science

Product Comparison

English/Language

Arts Banned in America

Think-Pair-Share

Think about a place in your curriculum in which you

could include a project based learning opportunity in
place of your current structure.

Wrap up

Why I selected this project and what I learned