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Guide Student Thinking in Project-Based Learning (PBL)

Tags

^Music, Art and Makerspaces ^21st Century Skills All Ages Strategy

Skills

Flexible Thinking Verbal Reasoning Abstract Reasoning Spatial Perception

Guide Student Thinking in Project-Based Learning (PBL)

Guide student thinking to ensure they are learning as much as possible in problem or project-based learning

Teach It!

  1. Objective: Project-based learning will engage students in actively investigating and responding to relevant questions, giving them effective practice in integrating information, learning and applying knowledge. To ensure that students are learning throughout a project or extended problem ensure that you are guiding them with key questions and dialogue throughout their exploration.
  2. Teacher Takeaways: While there is plenty of evidence and enthusiasm for the value of project-based learning, students needed guided questioning and support to ensure that the experience goes beyond engagement to ensure learning. Using the following steps can ensure that both content and skill mastery are happening.
  3. Review Background Knowledge: Before students begin a project ensure they have the appropriate background knowledge. Have them review what they already know, where they have gaps in knowledge, and what they want to learn. This review will ensure that they are making direct connections from prior learning to what they need to know and have a clear idea of what they want to learn that is new and interesting. Prompts: What will you learn? How does this relate to what you already know? Why is learning this important?
  4. Regularly Scheduled Check-Ins: Provide students with regular opportunities to reflect on what they have learned and where they are going. While there might be tactical questions to ensure they are on target to finish, ask open-ended questions to ensure they continue to reflect. Prompts: How do you know you did not miss anything? Did it surprise you that...? How did you revise your plan now that....
  5. Instill Ownership: Encourage students to come to you as they run into challenges but ensure they own the solution of how to move ahead.Prompts: I can see how there are multiple paths ahead, what do you think is best? Write down what you think and we can discuss what you want to do next.
  6. Encourage Calculated Risk: Projects offer a unique opportunity to take risks, experience "failure" and learn how to recover, especially since there is no right answer. Help students find the appropriate balance of being successful and yet pushing themselves out of their comfort zone to ensure they are learning as much as possible. Prompts: You cannot be certain it will work out but it might be worth a try. Maybe you want to take time to explore that further. Give yourself a specific amount of time to pursue and then you can decide.
  7. Leave Time for Reflection: While students will definitely learn during the process, some of the best learning can happen when the project is over and students have time to reflect on the experience.Prompts: What would you do differently next time? The same? What did you learn about yourself? Based on this experience, what will you be sure to do/not do on the next project?

Why It Works (the Science Of Learning)!

Research shows the long-term importance of giving students practice and guidance in integrating information, applying skills, knowing how to think through and solve problems creatively, and collaborate and communicate with others. Project-based learning is shown to increase engagement and long-term retention. However, research shows the importance of