What is Project-based learning (PBL)?
- PBL is a type of instruction that is based on personal and real-world projects. Typically PBL consists of one project that continues for a period of time, and slowly “solves” the problem students are working on. PBL is different from other smaller projects, which are “one and done”. PBL requires students to collaborate, research, and use their critical thinking skills, to solve a more complex and relevant problem.
- The main characteristics of PBL include the project being
- Student-centered
- Relevant and applicable to the real world
- Collaborative
- Engaging
Without these 4 characteristics, It would be likely that the type of instruction would not be project-based.
A personal example of PBL:
- In grade 11 I was in a 5-credit specialized program, which was heavily based upon one final report. This report was based on a global issue that we were passionate about. For my topic, I chose the lack of women’s health care in developing countries. Throughout the semester we completed the report component by component, to achieve our final product. I found this PBL to be very beneficial for me, as I was able to know what the end goal was, and how all of my work will benefit the final product, it was very motivating for me.
Does or does PBL not align with the topic our group chose?
- The topic my group has chosen to do is well-being in children, with a specific age range of 5-8 years old. PBL is more commonly seen in the upper years of school, as the projects take more extended periods of time than projects for younger kids. I think that because of our age range being so young, they would not have the mental capacity to work on one project for such a long time. I also think that PBL could somewhat be incorporated into our topic by doing a variety of small activities and exercises that will lead to a “final product”. We could organize our lesson chronologically to achieve an understanding of the topic as our final goal, making our lesson have similar characteristics of project-based learning, but not quite fully PBL.
What is PBL?. PBLWorks. (n.d.). https://www.pblworks.org/what-is-pbl
June 18, 2023 at 9:18 am
Hi Katherine! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and real-life examples of project-based learning. I like your idea of incorporating this teaching method by asking children to do various small activities that will lead to a “final product.” To strengthen your post, you may want to provide some benefits and challenges associated with this approach and how teachers can address them.
June 18, 2023 at 2:10 pm
Hi Katherine! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Although I didn’t choose PBL, your thoughts and personal experience have inspired me a lot. The structure of your entire blog is very clear, allowing the audience to grasp the key points very well.
June 18, 2023 at 5:10 pm
Hi Katherine, thanks for sharing your thoughts and knowledge about PBL. Growing up as a kid, I really enjoyed participating in science fairs! Having been part of science fairs during high school, I found them to be enjoyable and a great way to learn more about the world around me. Compared to many of the other learning environments, I found PBL to be the one that resonates the most with me, as it is engaging and I learned so many new things outside the classroom. I enjoyed reading your post as well and found it easy to comprehend.