There are many forms of experiential learning  designs.  Among them is project-based learning.  Project-based learning is also known as PBL and is often used interchangeably with inquiry learning, authentic learning, problem-based learning, and discovery learning. What these forms of learning seem to all have in common is that students identify and inquire about real-world problems, collaborate with others to develop a solution, and create a project which demonstrates their knowledge and helps them communicate the information to others.

Project-based learning is not a new fad or packaged program.  It is not a project board that is decorated by a single student to show what they found on a single topic. PBL is not an art project.

PBL is a highly developed process which “uses authentic, real-world projects, based on a highly motivating and engaging question, task, or problem, to teach students academic content in the context of working cooperatively to solve the problem” (Project-Based Learning, Bender).  Through this process, students are encouraged to use a variety of skills and strategies such as technology and  experiments to create more knowledge and then to reflect on and talk about what they are doing and how their understanding is changing. The teacher’s job is to guide students through the thinking and reflection process to build on their current understanding (Constructivism as a Paradigm for Teaching and Learning).

Rooted in Philosophy

In the early 1900s, John Dewy shared his theory about the process of reflective thinking in How We Think.  He saw this process as having 5 steps: 1)People meet ups with situations which initiate thought and emotion about the problem, 2)steps are taken to diagnose and analyze the situation, 3)People take inventory of possible solutions and create guiding ideas or a hypothesis. 4) The mind narrows the choices to hypothesis that will be successful, 5) Testing the hypothesis and making meaning or finding what is true-truth is what works or go back to phase four to seek truth in an alternate truth.  This was considered Pragmatism; where knowledge is rooted in the experience. The pragmatic believes that knowledge is rooted in experience. That people have active and exploratory minds, rather than ones that are passive and receptive.  As a result, individuals do not simply receive knowledge; they make it happen (p. 69).”

From the philosophy of pragmatism, arose other educational theories such as progressivism and postmodern constructivism.  These theories put the child as the focal point of the educational plan.  They sought to develop curriculum that grew out students’ needs and interests to be the natural starting point for the learning experience.  Pupils are active rather than passive and the teacher’s role is that of an advisor or guide, and fellow traveler rather than that of authoritarian and classroom director. Constructivism promotes social behavior since the belief is that “knowledge is constructed by humans.  It is not a set of facts, concepts, or laws independent of the knower that is waiting to be discovered.  Rather, humans create knowledge and everything they know is made by them (p. 94).”

Knight, G.( 2008).  Issues and alternatives in education philosophy. Berrien Springs: Andrews University Press

Research Based

Research has shown that PBL is highly effective.  There has been many research studies on the effectiveness of project-based learning ans the results all point in the same direction – forward.   Some advantages are that students motivation and interest have increased in completing the work that is required and it tends to make the instruction more relevant to students’ lives.  There has been less absenteeism, cooperative learning skills have increased, and improved test scores. Those benefits are enhanced when technology is used in a meaningful way in the projects.

Sources:  PBL Research Summary and Bender, W. (2012) Project-based learning differentiated instruction for the 21st century. Thousand Oaks: Corwin Press.

Here is prezi  to help you understand what project-based learning is and is not:

Project-Based Learning Prezi

More resources on Project-Based Learning:

What is PBL?   In Project Based Learning (PBL), students go through an extended process of inquiry in response to a complex question, problem, or challenge. While allowing for some degree of student “voice and choice,” rigorous projects are carefully planned, managed, and assessed to help students learn key academic content, practice 21st Century Skills (such as collaboration, communication & critical thinking), and create high-quality, authentic products & presentations.

Project-Based Learning: Explained  This is 10 minute video explaining project-based learning in simple terms.  I love how this video lays it out step-by-step to understand the benefits of project-based learning for students and the community.

What Makes a Good Project?  A guide to great project designs by Gary Stagar, PhD

“Chracteristics of Project Based Learning

• Students make decisions within a prescribed framework.
• There’s a problem or challenge without a predetermined solution.
• Students design the process for reaching a solution.
• Students are responsible for accessing and managing the information they gather.
• Evaluation takes place continuously.
• Students regularly reflect on what they’re doing.
• A final product (not necessarily material) is produced and is evaluated for quality.
• The classroom has an atmosphere that tolerates error and change.

Generally speaking, students engaged in a project…

• …have some choice in deciding what they will work on.
• …plan their own project.
• …participate in defining criteria and rubrics to assess their project.
• …solve problems they encounter while working on their project.
• …make some sort of presentation of their project.

The project-based learning approach creates a “constructivist” learning environment in which students construct their own knowledge. Whereas in the “old school” model the teacher was the task master — in the “new school” model the teacher becomes the facilitator.”

source: Powell GT Magnet School:  What is Project-Based Learning (Powell Elementary)

“A (Somewhat) New Approach to Educating and Inspiring Kids

Inquiry-based learning is not a new technique—in fact, it goes back to education philosopher John Dewey—but it does stand in contrast to the more structured, curriculum-centered framework of today’s schools.

Asking questions is at the heart of inquiry-based learning. The goal is not to ask just any questions, of course, but ones that kids honestly care about. Your role is to guide the kids in finding the answers themselves and encourage them to ask new questions along the way.

Inquiry-based learning is a style particularly well-suited for out-of-school programs because they have a freer hand to complement, enhance, and expand on the work children are doing in their K-12 classes. School-based teachers may not want to go so far as to make inquiry-based learning the core of their classroom approach. It does, however, offer a powerful option for occasional projects and lab activities.”