PBL Essential Design Elements 2024

pbl essEnTial dEsign elemEnts

authenticity

sustained inquiry

challenging problem or question

LEARNING GOALS

Public Product

CRITIQUE & REVISION

REFLECTION

STUDENT Voice & Choice

LEARNING GOALS

The project is focused on teaching students key knowledge and understanding derived from standards, and success skills including critical thinking/problem solving, collaboration, and self-management.

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challenging problemor question

The project is based on a meaningful problem to solve or a question to answer, at the appropriate level of challenge for students, which is operationalized by an open-ended, engaging driving question.

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sustained inquiry

The project involves an active, in-depth process over time, in which students generate questions, find and use resources, ask further questions, and develop their own answers.

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AUTHENTICITY

The project has a real-world context, uses real-world processes, tools, and quality standards, makes a real impact, and/or is connected to students’ own concerns, interests, and identities.

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STUDENT VOICE & CHOICE

The project allows students to make some choices about the products they create, how they work, and how they use their time, guided by the teacher and depending on their age and PBL experience.

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reflection

The project provides opportunities for students to reflect on what and how they are learning, and on the project’s design and implementation.

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CRITIQUE & REVISION

The project includes processes for students to give and receive feedback on their work, in order to revise their ideas and products or conduct further inquiry.

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PUBLIC PRODUCT

The project requires students to demonstrate what they learn by creating a product that is presented or offered to people beyond the classroom.

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