Project based learning is a teaching method where students gain knowledge and skills by investigating and responding to complex, open-ended questions or challenges over an extended period of time. It focuses on developing students' critical thinking, collaboration, communication skills, and creativity. Students are given voice and choice in their projects, and are asked to present their work to authentic audiences beyond the classroom. Proponents argue that project based learning prepares students for the 21st century workplace by developing important skills like collaboration, communication, responsibility, and innovation.

1. PROJECT BASED
LEARNING
Kateland Smith
Savanah Starcher
Brandee Malcomb

2. DEFINITION
• Teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by
working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to
a complex question, problem, or challenge
• 21st Century competencies
• Students acquire critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, communication skills,
and induces creativity
• Students have a “voice and a choice”

3. DEFINITION [CONT.]
• They understand the need to gain knowledge and understand
concepts
• Ask questions
• Public audience
• Students present work further than the classroom

4. IMPORTANCE
• Allows a wider perspective when using different types of learning
methods and materials
• Students will have developed work habits, collaboration in a group,
responsibility, communication skills, and be creative innovators - this
builds confidence
• They will be better prepared for the workplace
• Those skills can be applied to all subjects in school throughout a
student’s entire life in school and civic settings

5. 21ST CENTURY EDUCATION
• “Those who can think critically and
communicate effectively must build
on a base of core academic subject
knowledge” (Partnership for 21st
Century Skills, 2011)
• Requires the development of core
academic subject knowledge and
understanding amongst all students
• Inspires students to want to learn
more

6. EXAMPLE
• Students can:
• Compare information before completing an assignment
• Draw inferences
• Solve complex problems
• Provide feedback to other classmates
• Produce own ideas on the process of solving problems
• Prove hypotheses
• Use other multimedia aspects in the classroom (Voki’s, blogs, WebQuests, etc.)

7. EXAMPLE [CONT.]
• Students can be put into groups of four and will be asked to come
up with their own ideas for different topics such as: how to recycle,
how can they be re-used, why it would be useful, and what can
people in your community do to help; use a survey
• Clear example of cause and effect
• Use of critical thinking skills to generate a notion
• Apply that concept learned in the classroom to everyday life

8. ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY
• Effective way to integrate technology into curriculum
• Engages students to be active in learning because its not dull
• Use of internet such as blogs, videos, etc. to research ideas or
present them online
• Use of Smart Boards to present ideas to classroom
• Video cameras to show proof of true hypothesis
• Can post videos or blogs online for more feedback around the world

9. WORK CITED
BIE. (2014). What is PBL? Retrieved from BIE (Buck Institute of
Education): http://bie.org/about/what_pbl
George Lucas Educational Foundation. (2014). Why Teach with Project
Based Learning? Retrieved from Edutopia:
http://www.edutopia.org/project-learning-introduction
Great Schools Partnership. (2014). 21st Century Skills. Retrieved from The
Glossary of Education Reform: http://edglossary.org/21st-century-skills/
Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (2011). Framework for 21st Century
Learning. Retrieved from Partnership for 21st Century Skills:
http://www.p21.org/storage/documents/1.__p21_framework_2-
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