Problem Based Learning

Problem based learning approach is largely attributable to the fact that their process is designed to stimulate student inquiry. Additionally, the process can be applied to any project in any subject, which means there is a consistent approach across grades and subject areas.  Featured below is a step-by-step guide to problem based learning, there are multiple ways of PBL.

• State Standards: every project should start with some standard the students are suppose to hit, you can make a rubric that students should be able to tell which ones they are covering.
• Critical Friends: students and teachers should participate in a peer review or "critical friends" before they launch a project and have a session with colleagues for feedback about the academic rigor of the project.
• Entry Event: Teachers introduce each project with an entry event that serves several purposes: to hook the students and get them engaged in the content, provide an example of what to expect, and introduce key vocabulary.
• "Need-to-know" list: keywords that should prompt students to identify new concepts they'll need to learn and help make connections.
• Rubric: The rubric is an essential tool for maintaining transparency for students.  Teachers design rubrics to define all the desired learning outcomes for a project.
• Group Contract: Individual accountability is a critical component for successful PBL where students use group contacts to document expectations for each team member.
• Research and Collaboration: students work together to figure out what their final product is going to be and how to acquire the knowledge they need to complete it.
• Assessment and Adjustment: Teachers track student progress to make sure no student is falling behind.
• Presentations: Verbal communication, public speaking, and other important nonacademic skills are honed in this process.
• Final Assessment: Students are graded on the work they have done according to the rubric and group contracts they signed.

Creating an environment that makes students feel welcome and able to complete a problem based learning classroom is the ideal setting since this is the type of atmosphere most students will be working in when they get older.