You’ve probably heard of project-based learning, before and you’ve probably seen a definition of it before, too. Maybe it looked like this:
Project-based learning (PBL) is an inquiry-based approach that provides a relevant, real-world context for students’ learning. Through PBL, students drive their own learning, work collaboratively and share their learning with an authentic audience.
Chances are, if you’ve tried it in your classroom, you’ve figured out that project-based learning can be messy. Shifting away from teacher-directed learning to make space for student-driven collaboration and inquiry is tough by nature. It may take a few times to see the benefits that you’ve heard other teachers talk about. And no matter how carefully we plan, things can still get a little chaotic.
So, why do we do it?
Students deserve access to learning experiences that challenge them to build agency as they develop their own identities as citizens and participants in their world. Critical to the PBL approach is fostering an environment where students feel safe to take risks, share their mistakes, and celebrate growth. As facilitators of the inquiry-driven classroom, educators play a big role here. We must model this culture of trust, curiosity and collaboration.
Just as we expect from our students, we too should be ready to take some risks. Our sister company, Participate Inc. has a Community of Practice designed to be a support network for teachers to experiment. The PBL community on Participate Inc. is a great place to start!
In their community, you’ll find:
Their Community of Practice is meant to be a place for educators to engage in active learning.
What do we do as active learners?
These Communities of Practice are excellent for professional growth, supported by online courses, discussion forums, shared resources and, most importantly, other educators.
Download the project-based learning guide today for tips and resources.
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