Project-based learning offers promise as an instructional method that affords authentic
learning tasks grounded in the personal interests of learners. While previous research
has presented results of learning gains, motivations, and teacher experiences, limited
empirical research has presented student perspectives in project-based learning. This
research sought to explore how learners created projects. A qualitative case study design
was employed with five purposively selected participants from eighth grade geography
at a private day school. From interviews, observations, and document collection, five
themes emerged from what influenced participants’ projects and what the participants
learned: (1) internal influences, (2) external influences, (3) beliefs about projects, (4) tools
for technology-rich environments, and (5) learning outcomes and products. The first four
themes describe influences to shape the fifth theme, learning products. The term learning
products was used to describe both the learning acquired by the participants and the
learning artifacts the participants produced as part of the instructional unit. Implications
for practice and future research are considered.