Are you thinking about using the Project Based Learning approach with your students or in your homeschool? Knowing how to begin can be challenging and overwhelming. Here are 5 quick tips for getting started with PBL.
1. Establish Your Reason
Project Based Learning (PBL) can be more work than traditional teaching. It is a fact many veteran PBL teachers shy away from, because in truth we LOVE the work and want to bring others along with us.
However, if you haven’t established a strong personal reason for incorporating the Project Based Learning approach, you may find that the extra planning and work will deter you.
My personal reason for utilizing PBL in my classroom, and in my homeschool approach, is that I truly believe students think more critically, compassionately, and creatively with this kind of real-world authentic learning.
So, what is your reason for pursuing Project Based Learning in your classroom?
Not there yet? Try answering these questions to help you land on your reason.
- Why are you looking into making the shift to the Project Based Learning approach?
- Who will benefit from this method of teaching?
- What are some drawbacks to PBL? What makes overcoming those drawbacks worth it to you?
2. Explore Funding for Training by Experts
Project Based Learning is a different way of approaching learning in your classroom. It takes a mindset shift that can often be overwhelming for both the facilitator and students. Correct implementation of this approach can be difficult. This is where PBL training companies can often be so helpful. But these experts can often come with a hefty price tag.
Consider the following in your pursuit for adequate and complete training in authentic and high-quality PBL…
- Donors Choose Professional Development Campaigns
- Look for less expensive virtual workshops offered by PBL experts
- Grants from STEM/STEAM organizations
- Grants from education companies
- PTO Grants from your school
- Get a team of teachers together and present to your school board with a request for funding
- Reach out to a local homeschool co-op and find other caring adults to earn a discount on training
3. Find an Accessible Expert
If pursuing a training is not possible, check out a few experts in the field of PBL. There are many companies and organizations out there that offer quality instruction. However, be wary of “fluff” projects without real-world connections, rigorous standard alignment, authentic student voice and choice, or adequate 21st Century Skill training.
Here are a few of my favorite PBL Expert Resources
- Magnify Learning’s Website
- Magnify Learning’s Podcast
- PBL in the Elementary Grades by PBLWorks (formerly Buck Institute)
- Hacking Project Based Learning by Ross Cooper
- A PBL Walk Through by RuthAnn Lane (Me) on the Elementary Project Based Learning Group on Facebook
- Edutopia.org
- John Spencer’s YouTube Channel
4. Use a Great Planner
Planning a quality PBL unit is half the battle. Many of the resources already listed above come with great planners. A quality PBL unit will have a few main components to look for in the planner.
1. Rigorous and authentic standard connections across multiple content areas
Rigorous standard connections are core and key to a successful PBL unit. Without authentic connections to standards, PBL would be “fluff.”
2. Real-world problem or challenge for students to tackle in an authentic way
Authentic PBL poses real-world problems to students and allows them to solve them in an impactful way. Gone are the days of paper made examples of lemonade stands with a fake business plan presentation. Hello, real snack stands set-up in the gymnasium for the community to enjoy. With student-made graphs that depict our authentic profits and supply/demand for different products. Of course only after students presented and received feedback on their business plans to several local business owners. This is one of the core differences between an authentic PBL unit and a project.
3. 21st Century Skills
For a PBL unit to prepare students for their futures and help them become career-ready, 21st Century Skills are crucial. Students need to practice collaboration, cooperation, technology skills, etc. A great PBL planner, accounts for these important career skills and helps facilitators structure their units with authentic practice for students.
There are many great planners by PBL companies out there for free. I have listed a few of them in my Elementary Project Based Learning Facebook Group. But, if you are looking for a planner that will guide you step-by-step through planning a PBL unit, check out my guided PBL planner here.
5. Give Yourself Grace. Give Your Students Grace.
Starting a new approach to teaching is like experiencing your first year all over again. Give yourself some grace along the way. You may forget to incorporate your Know and Need to Knows one day. You may struggle to write a quality Driving Question. But as long as you stick with the process, your students will reap the benefits as you reflect on how to improve next time.
Your students will struggle with this mindset shift, as well. For them, the teacher used to have all of the answers. There was a right and a wrong way to approach problems. With PBL comes a more real-world approach that teaches them to grapple with real-world problems, which often do not have single solutions. This change in thinking can be difficult for students and requires some extra patience and scaffolding on the part of the facilitator.
Beginning Project Based Learning in your classroom or homeschool is worthy of celebration. Like running a marathon, there will be some strenuous training ahead, but the accomplishment of rigorous, relevant, and engaging learning is worth the effort.
Where are you in your PBL journey? Do you have a specific need that wasn’t mentioned above? Share your thoughts with me in the comments!
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