Now that you can see Project Based Learning as a great instructional model for your learners, how do you get started? Many new educators align with the ‘why’ of Project Based Learning, but then get intimidated when it comes to the first day and initial implementation. The 6 Steps of PBL are designed to give you a structure to work within during your PBL Unit. When you first engage in an authentic learning experience with your learners, it can be open ended and intimidating. These 6 Steps will help you and your learners know where you are at in the process and where you are going.
Step 1 – Define the Problem
Step 2 – Solution Criteria
Step 3 – Solution Research
Don’t wait until the final presentation to assess all of the standards you have packed into your PBL unit. Step 3 is a great place to hold workshops and take a lot of content/standards grades.
Step 3 can even be a step where learners are still operating as individuals, so you can avoid that awful phenomenon where a group grade destroys your overall grade. While researching possible solutions, you are also holding workshops around the learner’s need to knows. Answering need to knows will get learners closer to a valid solution.
Step 3 can also be a good place to include quizzes or tests. The results of these quizzes or tests may form your workshop groups, so you can personalize the learning for what your learners are needing from a content standpoint.
Step 4 – Pick a Solution
Step 5 – Create, Run, and Inspect Solution
Step 6 – Reflect on Solution
Additional PBL Resources
1. PBL Simplified Book Study- Want to learn more about what the PBL process looks like in the classroom? Check out this book!
2. The PBL Simplified Podcast – Like listening to podcasts? Tune in each week to hear episodes on PBL-related topics.
3. PBL Movement Online Community – Connect with other like-minded educators and get access to a ton of PBL Resources.
4. Magnify Learning on YouTube Subscribe for the latest videos!
5. Get our PBL Resources: