Beyond the Textbook: Storylines as Catalysts for Authentic Learning in PBL

In project-based learning (PBL), teacher-created storylines are coherent and engaging narratives that serve as the foundation for organizing and guiding the learning experience. Storylines are designed to provide context and purpose to the project, […]

5 Steps to Keep Engagement High During Project-Based Learning

Taking students’ interests into account when designing project-based learning helps ensure that they stay engaged throughout the unit.

Editor's Note: This article was originally posted on Edutopia, a foundation dedicated to telling the stories of […]

Why Collaboration Matters

If your school is gearing up to implement High-Quality Project-Based Learning (HQPBL), you must be ecstatic! The anticipation to see your students dive into inquiry is exciting, but a little nerve-wracking as well. With any new instructional […]

PBL Pro Tips from John Larmer: How Can Project Management Skills Be Taught in PBL?

When employers look for people to hire, one of the top things they often want to know is, can they manage projects? It’s good to have that on your resume and it’s a common interview question. Project management skills are also useful in college, […]

Moving from “What is the Matter?” to “What Matters to You?”

The education world is full of smart people. We are not short of innovative and creative thinkers. What I believe holds us back at times is finding a different lens.

When we think about the priorities of our schools and the priority of learning it […]

One District's Approach to Transitioning to an Integrated Approach Through PBL

The motto for the Westminster School District is “Building Tomorrow’s Leaders Today.” This motto frames the work of all-district teams, including the Department of Educational Services. “Our goals are firm, but the means are flexible.” Lori […]

Making Rigorous PBL by Design Doable

It is difficult to accept that the best learning road is slow and that doing poorly now is essential for better performance later. It is so deeply counterintuitive that it fools the learners themselves both about their own progress and their […]

3 Steps to Launching PBL at Your School

Starting anything new can be a daunting task, particularly for a school site administrator. But when starting a new instructional focus that requires training, buy-in, follow-through, and follow-up, well now that can be even more challenging. This […]

Assessing Deeper Learning

The profound disruptions to traditional schooling over the past two years leave educators with unique opportunities to redefine school. Though it may be tempting to try to teach faster to "catch up" on missed content, we contend that the best course […]

Teaching Every Subject with an Eye on Career Readiness

To prepare our students for the next phase of their lives, my district is committed to helping all students have a relevant career experience prior to high school graduation. That authentic learning experience might be a job shadow, apprenticeship, […]