How PBL Builds Portrait of a Graduate Competencies Part 4: Communication, Collaboration, Citizenship

This is Part 4 of a four-part series on “Portrait of a Graduate” goals that have been set by many schools and districts. My first post argued that project-based learning is one of the most effective ways to build the student competencies commonly […]

How Competency-Based Learning Builds 21st-Century Skills

Competencies, future-ready skills, and 21st-century skills all involve students doing something. For the students, these ideas represent the “how” to do something or the skills needed to navigate a situation. For the teacher, these ideas represent […]

Project-Based Learning: 5 Tips for Getting Started

Getting started with project-based learning may feel intimidating at first. It is important for students and teachers to start small and focus more on the process rather than the products. Here are 5 tips for getting started with PBL.

For many […]

Embarking on STEAM PBL: A Student's Reflection and Tips for Starting Small

Begin your STEAM Project-Based Learning journey by embracing smaller projects that prioritize skill development through small-scale activities, empowering students to take an active role in their education and exercise their voice and choice.

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Career-Readiness Through Career-Connected PBL

Project-based learning grounded in authentic career scenarios is an effective approach for both general and career education.

Project-based learning (PBL) is an instructional strategy in which students learn by actively engaging in large-scale […]

A Learning Journey of Young Entrepreneurs: How Lindsay Learners Thrive in a Project-Based Learning Environment

In the heart of California's San Joaquin Valley, a room awash with morning light buzzes with ideas and innovation. Three young visionaries—Carlos, Isabella, and Sofia—are in the midst of crafting their food truck dream. Inspired by the real-life […]

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, […]

PBL Pro Tip: How Are Essential Questions and Driving Questions Used in PBL?

Many teachers who use project-based learning use an “essential” or “driving” question to focus a project. But they’re not always easy to create.

One theory I have is that, unlike other aspects of PBL, coming up with an essential or driving question […]

PBL Pro Tips from John Larmer: How Can Collaboration Skills Be Built in PBL?

Even teachers and students who are pretty experienced with project-based learning admit that working in teams can be challenging. Adults, too, find this is true in the workplace.

You know the challenges: personalities clash or there’s baggage from […]

The Importance of Authentic Teacher Collaboration for Effective PBL Instruction

By design, Project-Based Learning lends itself perfectly to student collaboration. Through all phases of a task, students have opportunities to work together, make decisions, think, and talk about how to best achieve project goals. Shouldn’t that […]