Project Based Learning
Project based learning is a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to a complex question, problem, or challenge.
Essential elements of Project Based Learning include:
- Significant content – At its core, the project is focused on teaching students important knowledge and skills, derived from standards and key concepts at the heart of academic study.
- 21st century competencies – Students build competencies valuable for today’s world, such as problem solving, critical thinking, collaboration, communication and creativity/innovation, which are explicitly taught and assessed.
- In-Depth Inquiry – students are engaged in an extended, rigorous process of asking questions, using resources, and developing answers.
- Driving question – Project work is focused by an open-ended question that students understand and find intriguing, which captures their task or frames their exploration.
- Need to know – students see the need to gain knowledge, understand concepts, and apply skills in order to answer the Driving Question and create project products.
- Voice and choice – Students are allowed to make some choices about the products to be created, how they work, and how they use their time, guided by the teacher.
- Critique and revision – The project includes processes for students to give and receive feedback on the quality of their work including a public presentation.
