What is Project Based Learning? Overview
An overview which addresses the driving question 'What is Project Based Learning (PBL)?', designed to capture its main components and get you started on your PBL journey.
What is Project Based Learning (PBL)?
Project Based Learning (PBL) is an inquiry-based teaching method which enables students to gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period “…to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging, and complex question, problem, or challenge.” (PBL Works, 2023) Students address real world, authentic questions, or problems, developing their ideas through deep application of subject knowledge alongside critical thinking, creativity, group work and communication skills.
Expeditionary Learning (EL): Students learn through project-based expeditions which develop Mastery of Knowledge and Skills, Character, and High-Quality Student Work (EL Education, 2023) . Knowledge and skills-based content are taught through cross-subject learning expeditions.
In the UK, at XP School, Doncaster, expeditions are rigorously mapped to National Curriculum standards (XP School, 2023), and formed part of the Times Education Commission for the future of learning. The final product is presented to a real audience, with a focus on developing high quality, beautiful work. The Scottish Government, It's Our Future - Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment report (2023) recommends project-based learning in upper secondary.
An Overview of the Steps and Strategies in Project Based Learning
In this toolkit section, Project Based Learning is introduced. Self-guided resources are:
- Video: What is Project Based Learning? School 21 describes how it embeds PBL into their Arts curriculum to produce beautiful work.
- Slides and Overview: What is Project Based and Expeditionary Learning?
- Explore further: Additional resource links and videos to explore to help you start planning Project Based Learning, including international links to the PBL global community.
Schools and organisations have taken and adapted elements of PBL to fit with their context in the USA, UK and beyond. There is a continuum of practice, but within this there are identifiable common elements and themes. All are clear on their purpose, and why they have adopted PBL as a pedagogy for their students and school community.
Quick links for 'What is Project Based Learning'
In this 2-minute video, Southern College Ireland discusses how project based learning supports the skills employers want (Pearson, 2021).
This video shows how School 21 in the UK uses Project Based Learning in their Arts curriculum to craft beautiful work (Edutopia, 2017)
Explore Further:
This 5-minute video provides lots of tips and ideas to get Project Based Learning started in your classroom:
5 Ways to Begin to Shift Toward Project-Based Learning (Edutopia, 2021)
Resources to develop Project Based Learning:
We have produced a range of toolkit templates to help you plan rigorous project-based learning lesson series.
Examples of Project Based Learning
Bibliography and sources of best practice
- Edutopia. (2021). 5 Ways to Begin the Shift Toward Project-Based Learning. Available from: https://www.edutopia.org/video/5-ways-begin-shift-toward-project-based-learning/
- Edutopia. (2017). Project Based Learning and Arts. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeF4_RrAmSo
- Expeditionary Learning. (2023). The Three Dimensions of Student Achievement. Available from: https://eleducation.org/
- High Tech High. (2023). Projects. Available From: https://www.hightechhigh.org/student-work/projects/
- Innovation Unit. (2012). Work That Matters. Available from: https://www.innovationunit.org/publications/work-that-matters-the-teachers-guide-to-project-based-learning/
- Magnifying Learning. (2023). What is Project Based Learning. Available from: https://www.magnifylearningin.org/what-is-project-based-learning
- Ofsted. (2017). XP School. Available from: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/23/140964
- PBL Works. (2023). What is PBL. Available from: https://www.pblworks.org/what-is-pbl
- Pearson (2021) What is Project Based Learning. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW0-64w24yk
- Scottish Gov .(2023). It’s Our Future: Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment. Available from: https://www.gov.scot/publications/future-report-independent-review-qualifications-assessment/
- XP School. (2023). Our Curriculum. Available from: https://xptrust.org/our-curriculum/
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