This document defines project-based learning as an instructional approach where students gain knowledge and skills by investigating and responding to real-world problems or challenges. It notes that project-based learning promotes 21st century skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration and communication. The document also states that project-based learning is well-suited for 21st century education because it incorporates technology and prepares students for project-based careers by teaching these important skills through hands-on projects. An example provided is a project where students create robots to enact conflicts from books they have read.

1. Project Based
Learning
Abby Noffsinger
Jennifer Miller
Taylor Stephenson

2. Definition
 Students learn and develop their skills
by actively finding the solution to a
real-world question or challenge
through exploration and investigation
of the topic.

3. Importance
 Allows students to develop knowledge by
thinking through real-world problems
 Promotes 21st century skills, such as:
◦ Problem solving
◦ Collaboration
◦ Critical thinking
◦ Communication
◦ Creativity
◦ Innovation

4. Role in 21st Century
 21st century education revolves around
technology
 Critical thinking in school prepares students for
the growing amount of project-based careers
 Technology is easily incorporated into projects in
the classroom
 Role of technology: By teaching tech. through
PBL, students will have tools for future education
and careers

5. Example
 Videos – show what students know through tech. rather
than pencil and paper
 Podcasts – encourages quieter, auditory learners w/out
pressures of being in front of class
 Slideshare – provides an easy/free way for all students
to share and view work
 Blendspace – can combine different parts of project into
one
 Wiki – allows students to share and view their work and
can be used in and outside of the classroom

6. Arts and Bots
 Prime example of project based learning
 Used technology to incorporate many different
subjects and types of knowledge
 Example: After students read a book, they will
create a robot that reenacts the conflict and
resolution of the book
◦ This method incorporates technology in their learning
unlike traditional methods, such as book reports
◦ Allows them to use critical thinking skills by figuring
out how to create the robot and express, in their own
vision, the conflicts presented in the book

7. Conclusion
 Project based learning plays a key
role in 21st century learning and
technology, as it prepares students to
think critically and expand their
knowledge by making their own
discoveries and solutions to
challenges.

8. Works Cited
 Miller, A. (2014, April 16). Resources for
Assessment in Project-Based Learning. In
Norm's Teacher's Blog. Retrieved April 26,
2015, from
http://normsteachersblog.com/?p=7486
 Project Based Learning (2015). In Edutopia.
Retrieved April 17, 2015, from
http://www.edutopia.org/project-based-learning
 What is Project Based Learning (PBL) (2015). In
BIE. Retrieved April 17, 2015, from
http://bie.org/about/what_pbl