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End Products

In Project Based Learning (PBL) and Expeditionary Learning (EL) the end-product is an essential element. allowing students to demonstrate mastery of the subject core content and skills and presented to a public audience beyond the classroom.  End Products need to be engaging and authentic for students, of high quality, provide opportunities for community or expert engagement, and the development of wider, 21st century, or soft skills (Magnify Learning,2023).

In this toolkit section, the principles of deciding an End Product are introduced. Self-guided resources are:

  • Video: how an engaging End Product needs to have authenticity for students, and be underpinned by standards, a community partner, and 21st Century Skills (Magnify Learning,2023)
  • Slides and Overview: End Products.
  • Explore further: Additional resource links and videos to explore to develop End Products including examples.

Students know at the start of the project what the end-product will be and its assessment requirements. A key aspect and common thread is that students make their project work public by explaining, displaying, or presenting it to people beyond the classroom.

“In short, it’s about alignment between learning goals, the driving question, and the public product.”

Kiffany Lychock PBL Works (2019)

Quick links for End Products in PBL

This 3-minute video from Magnify Learning (2023) explains how an engaging End Product needs to have authenticity for students, and be underpinned by standards, a community partner, and 21st Century Skills.

Step 8 Slide

Slides: End Products

A PowerPoint covering what an End Product is in relation to PBL. It gives suggestions around what a possible meaningful end product could be which is the culmination of the project with the aim being it is for an external audience.
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Overview: End Products

An overview of what end products are and how they are utilised in projects and expeditions to best effect.

End Products need to:

  • Allows students to show their subject understanding and mastery of core knowledge and skills.
  • Shows the inquiry approach and research students have performed to achieve their task.
  • Allow students to create authentic products for a real audience.
  • Align with curriculum standards and assessment criteria, meaning students understand learning and quality expectations.

It is also important to determine from the outset if your students/teams will create (Magnify Learning (2023)):

  • The same product with the same focus or topic
  • The same product, but with a different focus or subtopic
  • A different product with the same focus or topic
  • A different product, but with a different focus or subtopic

Written Products

  • Research Report
  • Letter
  • Brochure
  • Script
  • Blog
  • Editorial
  • Book Review
  • Training Manual

Presentation Products

  • Speech
  • Debate
  • Oral Defense
  • Live Newscast
  • Panel Discussion
  • Play
  • Musical Piece or Dance
  • Public Event
  • Sales Pitch

Media & Tech Products

  • Audio Recordings
  • Slideshow
  • Drawing/Painting
  • Graphic Design
  • Collage/Scrapbook
  • Photo Essay
  • Video/Animation
  • Website
  • Computer Program/App
  • Digital Story/Comic

Constructed Products

  • Small Scale Model
  • Consumer Product
  • Device/Machine
  • Vehicle
  • Invention
  • Scientific Instrument
  • Museum Exhibit
  • Structures
  • Gardens

Planning Products

  • Proposal
  • Business Plan
  • Design
  • Bid
  • Estimate
  • Blueprint
  • Timeline
  • Flow Chart

Some further examples of end products and ideas to explore:

XP School

XP School: Final Product Example

XP School (2017): An example of an expedition final product from XP School Doncaster

100 Ideas for End Products

100 ideas for end products from Experiential Learning Depot (2023)

End Product Ideas

Pinterest (2023): End product ideas

Creating Products to Show and Share Learning

Learning in Hand (2014): Creating products to show and share learning

For more ideas for end products see below:

EL Education. (2023). Celebrations of Learning Available from: https://eleducation.org/resources/celebrations-of-learning-why-this-practice-matters

Experiential Learning Depot. (2023). 100 + Final Product Ideas for Project-Based Learning. Available from https://www.experientiallearningdepot.com/blog/100-final-product-ideas-for-project-based-learning#

High Tech High. (2023). Projects. Available from: https://www.hightechhigh.org/student-work/student-projects/

Learning in Hand. (2014). Creating Products to Show and Share Learning. Available to: https://learninginhand.com/blog/products

Magnify Learning. (2023). End Products. Available from: https://www.magnifylearningin.org/end-products

PBL Works. (2019). Beginning with the end in mind. Available from: https://www.pblworks.org/blog/beginning-end-mind-making-project-products-clear-students

Pinterest. (2023). PBL Final Products. Available from: https://www.pinterest.com/experientiallearningdepot1459/pbl-final-products/

School 21. (2023). Beautiful Work. Available from: https://www.school21.org.uk/sec-beautiful-work

Teach thought. (2023). Authentic Audience in PBL. Available from: https://www.teachthought.com/critical-thinking/authentic-audience-in-pbl/

XP School. (2023). Our Expeditions. Available from: http://www.xpschool.org/our-expeditions/

XP School. (2017). Guns, Germs and Steel Final Product. Available from: https://xpschool.org/guns-germs-and-steel-final-product/

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