Mrs. Regent was erasing the board, getting prepared for
the next lesson, when the new assistant principal walked in.
Introductions were made as the assistant principal perused
the room. He stood for a minute or two, just looking at the
classroom. Finally, he spoke. “They are all so... engaged,” he
said with astonishment. The teacher paused for a moment,
not sure what to say. She looked around, and it was evident
that each child was immersed and focused on his or her work.
The only thing that the teacher could respond to the assistant
principal was, “Aren’t they supposed to be?”
“Can I please do a project? I have an idea for an
inquiry! Please? Please?” Have you ever heard a child
beg to do work? In a project-based learning classroom,
it is routine!
An Introduction to the Project-Based Learning
Approach
Project-Based Learning (PBL) is a student-driven,
teacher-facilitated approach to learning. Learners pursue
knowledge by asking questions that have piqued
their natural curiosity. The genesis of a project is aninquiry. Students develop a question and are guided
through research under the teacher’s supervision. Discoveries
are illustrated by creating a project to share with
a select audience. Organizers support systematization of
the processes that will be implemented throughout the
research and project phases of PBL. Student choice is
a key element of this approach. Teachers oversee each
step of the process and approve each choice before the
student embarks in a direction. Children with similar
inquiries may elect to work cooperatively, thereby nurturing
twenty-first-century collaboration and communication
skills and honoring students’ individual learning
styles or preferences. PBL is not a supplementary
activity to support learning. It is the basis of the curriculum.
Most projects include reading, writing, and mathematics
by nature. Many inquiries are science-based or
originate from current social problems. The outcome of
PBL is greater understanding of a topic, deeper learning,
higher-level reading, and increased motivation to learn.
PBL is a key strategy for creating independent thinkers
and learners. Children solve real-world problems by designing
their own inquiries, planning their learning, organizing
their research, and implementing a multitude
of learning strategies. Students flourish under this childdriven,
motivating approach to learning and gain valuable
skills that will build a strong foundation for their
future in our global economy.