Project based learning

 Suzie Boss, education writer and project based learning (PBL) consultant, explains what PBL is, essential elements that make up PBL learning experiences, myths about PBL, and ways teachers can get started. (5 min.) This video is hosted by YouTube.

Jennifer Gonzales (Cult of Pedagogy) shares a comprehensive, authoritative resource on everything you want and need to know to get started with PBL in your classroom.

“It’s a shift in the delivery of instruction. Students don’t only get the knowledge but they get the application so the knowledge becomes relevant when they have to apply it to a real world situation.”Principal from Texas

This video series from Edutopia shows a deeper look at each of the five strategies behind successful project based learning projects. Learn the nuts and bolts of program implementation, see examples from schools around the country and the research behind the practices.

Edutopia compiled the "best of" project based learning resources for teachers. Included find videos, discussion threads and articles all geared to help educators implement this dynamic classroom approach in which students actively explore real-world problems and challenges and acquire a deeper knowledge. Note, the videos are hosted by YouTube.

This seven step plan guides teachers through the beginning stages of planning a PBL unit. From Edutopia.

The Framework for High Quality Project Based Learning (PBL) was created by educators to provide a basis for designing and implementing “high quality” PBL projects. The framework describes PBL in terms of the student experience and describes six criteria, each of which must be at least minimally present in a project in order for it to be judged “high quality.” The framework is designed to inspire reflection and conversation about ways projects can be improved and deepened.  

To help teachers do PBL well, the Buck Instituted created a comprehensive, research-based model for PBL — a “gold standard” to help teachers, schools, and organizations to measure, calibrate, and improve their practice. This article by John Larmer explains the three parts to Gold Standard PBL 1) Student Learning Goals 2) Essential Project Design Elements and 3) Project Based Teaching Practices.

This project planning guide from the Buck Institute has two key parts. The Project Overview is where you can record the key features of your project. The Student Learning Guide is where you can record your project’s learning targets, checkpoints and formative assessments, and instructional strategies you will use to meet the needs of all learners.

The Buck Institute for Education (BIE)  creates, gathers, and shares project based learning (PBL) instructional practices and products and provides services to teachers, schools, and districts. This link is to a curated selection of resources for teachers who want to learn more about PBL and take steps to plan and integrate PBL in their classroom. To view projects by subject area or grade level, visit the Buck Institute's PBL Works projects page. 

High Tech High teachers documented their project-based learning efforts to share with other educators. These in-depth projects can be recreated in your classroom or can be used as a launching pad for projects of your own design.

This video explains how  the project-based learning process supports deeper learning. From Teaching Channel. 13 min. 

The Buck Institute shares published research and evidence about the impact of quality Project Based Learning.