Project-based learning is a dynamic classroom approach in which students actively explore real-world problems and challenges and acquire transferable knowledge.
Twenty ideas for getting engaging projects going in your classroom.
by Dr. Nancy Betler As an educator, it is important to continue to learn and grow. I currently teach students who are gifted and continually need to be challenged. At the end of the last school year I reflected on how the year had gone and decided that although things went well I wanted to push my students to another level. There was a need to help them grow even further. During my research on how to help students grow I came across the strategy of Project Based Learning. Project Based learning is active learning that is student-centered. Students learn about a subject through the experience of problem solving and creating a project. According to the research, Project Based Learning helps the students develop flexible knowledge, effective problem solving skills, self-directed learning, effective collaboration skills and intrinsic motivation. This was just what I needed to push my students. The Project Based Learning environment changes the roles of students and teachers and puts learners in the driver’s seat. My next step was to discuss this idea with the teachers who I work with at my school. I wanted to get their insight and collaborate with them to help enhance my growth as well as student growth. The teachers I connected with were enthusiastic about trying this with our students. We planned how we would implement this active learning strategy during the next school year. Over the summer I developed and adapted two Project Based Learning projects based on what I had found on the subject to use with my students. The initial project I started with was to have the students answer questions about a cupcake bakery in our project Cupcakes Configurations. After being introduced to the project with cupcakes students were required to work in groups and develop the best way to package cupcakes for transport. The students had to discuss potential problems when transporting cupcakes. They also had to make a list of possible solutions. They had to create and defend their model. They also had to discuss pricing and decide on a fair price. This was more complex and had more pieces than what we had done in the past. The teacher I was team teaching with and I were excited to get started with the students. We could not wait to see how they responded to this learning opportunity. When the problem based learning questions were introduced during our math lesson the students were thrilled. There were leading questions and the students had to incorporate multiplication and division. They were allowed to work in pairs or groups of their choosing. The students began to work immediately and started to plan their strategies. This process was different for us as teachers since we had to let them plan rather than take our usual role of teaching the topic. We could guide but not give direct instructions on how they should answer or what they should produce. They had to be prepared to present to another class their final finding. We had to let the students be active learners and it was amazing! The quality of their solutions and the models they created were fantastic. Students were able to incorporate technology as they presented using PowerPoint or their Gaggle accounts. Some students created video demonstrations, some created songs to get their points across and others developed full scale models. One student dressed as a giant cupcake to give her presentation. It was a positive process for all involved and the teacher that I was working with and I decided that this would not be the end of Project Based Learning for the school year. I wanted to work with the students and help them learn through there various learning styles. Not every child learns the same way and it is essential as an educator to make sure that the students have opportunities to learn in different frameworks. One student said that “this was the first time I felt that my project for an assignment was actually my project.” Through collaboration with another teacher, we determined that we would also use Project Based Learning for another group of students. We decided to have the students solve the following problem based on our curriculum. We used a project that had already been developed and added to it. Students were told that the state fair would no longer be held at its current location. They were then told that the governor had chosen their team as the representative and event coordinator of their region. It was their job to convince the governor and his advisors (an unbiased group of students from your school) why the state fair should be held in their region. The students once again were allowed to pick their own groups and were guided through the process. We met with the students to confer and go over the question, their solutions and the rubric. The student projects were once again outstanding and incorporated different learning styles and the use of technology. The final step was that the students presented them to other students in our school. They presented with rave reviews. Project Based Learning definitely has helped my student develop the 21st century skills of critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity! As a result of the research, collaboration with my professional community and student learning I grew as an educator through the use of Project Based Learning. I shared this information and the work that my students completed with our Talent Development Department. I contributed to our district wiki some of the problems and enhancements I have used. This is something that I am proud of as a professional. This October I will be presenting with another teacher, Melissa Mooney, about Project Based Learning at the North Carolina Association of Elementary Educators Conference. We will be sharing an overview of the process, tips, lessons and student projects. It is exciting to me that I am now considered an expert on this topic. My pedagogical knowledge has bloomed on this subject. During this school year I have grown professionally in response to the need of the students. The students needed to be challenged more and to be able to use this approach to teaching in which students explore real-world problems and challenges has really helped my students grow. Next year I plan to continue to integrate Project Based Learning into my instruction. I plan to refine what has already been created as well as create new ones. To learn more about Project Based Learning and how it can be used to enrich learning experiences and engage learners, check out the archives of a recent #cmsk12chat, which I co-moderated with Joshua Lemere. The archive for our PBL-focused chat can be found here. Dr. Nancy Betler is a Talent Development Teacher at Eastover Elementary and primarily works with gifted and high-ability students in grades K-5. As a National Board Certified Teacher, she fully embraces life-long learning and has recently earned her doctorate degree. Nancy is also heavily involved with the North Carolina Association of Elementary Educators (NCAEE) and serves as a Board Member. She looks forward to connecting with you on Twitter @nbetler and being a part of your PLN!
Science evangelist Ainissa Ramirez advocates passion-based learning as the best possible way to bring out students' inner geeks and make the subject matter personally meaningful to them.
For a successful PBL unit, set clear goals, over plan, make students accountable, give concrete deadlines, share rubrics in advance, and reflect on your methods.
Blended classrooms can provide a boost to a group of students, but blended schools create a new world of opportunity for how a team of teachers interact with hundreds of students and how students experience learning.
Blogger Suzie Boss describes how design thinking offers a perfect vehicle for connecting students with their community.
Assessing students during project based learning does NOT need to be a challenge. Click through for some FREE tips & ideas to use in your elementary classroom.
Project-based learning doesn't mean leaving standards behind. Follow these tips to plan projects that challenge your students and align with core learning goals.
At this high school in Texas, where every class is project-based, there is a commitment to a consistent process, a focus on relationships, and a commitment to relevance and rigor.
Explore teaching blogs for valuable insights and resources. Enhance your teaching practice with innovative strategies and practical tips.
For setting project based learning goals, I recommend several including Mindmeister, Popplet, Idea Sketch, and Simple Mind. This blog post highlights using Simple Mind for Mindmapping. I've included a sample as students learn how to use the app.
Treat your students by providing them a chance to open their own neighborhood shake shop business! Your students will love this delightful Project Based Learning unit that will teach them the basics of economics and entrepreneurship. This PBL unit incorporates 21st Century skills with challenging, e...
Unfortunately, not everyone is blessed with good parents, and children of toxic parents know exactly how that feels.
Motivate students with independent reading by adding engaging reading sprints...turn the traditional reading log upside down!
IMPORTANT UPDATE – The previous Genius Hour Bookmark QR Codes stopped working, as the host site does not appear to be online any longer. I have updated the bookmarks as of 1/1/14. Please le…
A woman can have a million reasons to decide to give a hard pass to marriage, and it's not fair to question her choice. When you come across a woman who doesn't believe in marriage, there are certain things that you should probably avoiding saying…
Help your students deepen their knowledge of various topics by participating in Ask an Expert. This project based learning experience is a great learning tool!
This Jonah and the whale craft teaches a lesson on obedience. I believe in teaching our kids about the importance of obedience. Here is why! Obedience is one of the 52 words in my character development series. Although I want my kids to fully understand God’s grace and mercy first and foremost, I want them...Read More
My school doesn’t cover interval notation in its curriculum. We focus primarily on inequality notation, although I tend to use the more specific set-builder notation. Each representation ha…
This 1,058 square foot small country cottage has a 17' by 6' front porch giving you 102 square feet of outdoor space to enjoy and a 29' by 8' rear porch giving you 232 more covered outdoor space. Inside, there is a total of 1,058 square feet of heated living space with two bedrooms lining the right side and a vaulted living room open to the dining room and kitchen on the left.
Welcome to another post that I know you will want to share and bookmark. As I travel the country I constantly have teachers ask me for places to find some engaging PBL ideas! Below you will find t…
Learning to read and spell silent letter words can be tricky for kids. Learn teaching tips and tricks that make this concept easy and fun!
Welcome back! I have been so excited for students to return to the classroom. During spring break I researched Google's 8...
The best beginning of the year STEM challenges have 3 things in common: 1.) They help students get to know one another and start building teamwork and collaboration. 2.) They allow students to start practicing classroom procedures. 3.) They are incredibly fun and get students excited about STEM!
Update: *As of 1/2/14, you can now download all of my current Genius Hour resources in a bundle on Teachers Pay Teachers for $5. Or, you can still download them separately (for free) by clicking …
Discover some fascinating, no prep, STEM activities and challenges you can do with your students using paper! Engineering, math and science.
One reason I am such a big advocate for blended learning is that using the various models allow me to spend more time on the aspects of my job that I enjoy and feel are most valuable for students. I don’t want to waste precious class time talking at my students. I want to sit […]
Engaging, student-centered vocabulary activities for secondary students, vocabulary lessons, vocabulary practice, vocabulary ideas
Submerged VBS Craft Ideas - a collection of alternitive craft ideas for Lifeway's "Submerged" themed Vacation Bible school
These visual tools allow students to synthesize learning, but some kids don't think they're talented enough to make them. A bit of creative constraint helps.
Catapult Bowling is a fun, table top STEM game, kids engineer themselves, then study the physics to ensure they hurl the perfect strike!
fun and simple ways to learn all about herbalism in your homeschool.
These 25 quick and easy tips for new teachers will help you create a positive, engaging, and effective learning environment for your students.
Learn how to make a pom pom shooter. This fun craft doubles as a STEM activity for kids. Kids will love learning physics with this fun toy.
These free printable Pokemon bookmarks to color are perfect for your fans of this game & characters. Great for parties, reading fun, & more!
Twenty ideas for getting engaging projects going in your classroom.
