We are all familiar with buzzwords.

In education, the buzzwords are endless and generate faster than

electricity through our homes; are often overwhelming and annoying.

So what does one of the newest buzzwords, PBL actually mean, and
why should YOU invest your valuable time into it?

First of all PBL is an acronym for Project Based Learning and Problem Based Learning, both
are very similar.

“Project Based Learning is a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and
skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an
engaging and complex question, problem, or challenge.” - bie.org (Buck Institute for
Education)

“Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is an instructional method of hands-on, active learning

centered on the investigation and resolution of messy, real-world problems.” - Learning-
Theories.com

When you take Project Based Learning and design it around the resolution of a messy, real-
world problem, suddenly you have relative and engaging learning occurring, while fostering
empathy and complex thinking skills. A magical combination in any classroom.

PBL is not facilitating a unit, and then the students designing a project that showcases all that
they have learned from their teacher. PBL is not a project designed as an assessment piece to
test what the students have learned. PBL is not students constructing an answer to a real-
world problem in response to being presented with a set of facts, research, or statistics.

PBL is presenting your students with a problem to solve, or with a challenging scenario. PBL is
students following a facilitated set of steps to discover, find and research information for
themselves. PBL is students designing a project or solution as they are/as part of their learning
process. PBL is trial and error. PBL is research and recording. PBL is making corrections and
thinking critically to solve problems encountered. PBL is using different forms of formative
assessment to find holes in the student’s knowledge/understanding of concepts, and providing
the right tools for remediation. PBL is answering Essential Questions while discovering and
making in response to given problem or scenario. PBL is using the finished product as an
assessment piece. PBL is always a work in progress. PBL is flexible, with no “one right way” of
doing it. PBL is engaging. PBL is challenging. PBL is a classroom changer. PBL is a career
changer.

PBL is worth investing your valuable time in, because the return on your time investment is
quantitatively and qualitatively greater than what you put in. The return you will see on student
engagement, performance, assessment scores, collaboration skills, and student confidence will
be far greater than any you have seen before. It will be messy. It won’t be perfect. It will be
terrifying. It will be nerve racking.But I promise, with a little trial and error, and work, it will be
some of the most enjoyable and rewarding moments of your teaching career.