PROJECT BASED LEARNING

ELEMENTS OF

PROJECT BASED LEARNING

NINE ELEMENTS

• ANCHOR
• TASK
• DIRECTIONS
• STUDENT CHOICE
• STUDENT INQUIRY
• COLLABORATION AND TEAMWORK
• TEACHER COACHING AND FEEDBACK
• STUDENT REFLECTION
• PUBLIC PRSENTATION

Let's go!

ANCHOR

An anchor is an introduction to a project that provides a real-world connection from the project to authentic situations that may happen outside of school

Use this side of the card to provide more information on a topic. Focus on a concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.

An Anchor is the...

first step

Why an Anchor?

The anchor provides a compelling reason for students to want to become involved in the project. Some examples of anchors might include a newspaper story, a video, a personal experience, or a reference to students'experiences that relates to the project.

Next

Why a Task?

Reading method that involves highlighting, summarizing, and asking questions to improve understanding and retention.

At the beginning of the project, students need to understand the type of project outcomes the teacher expects. The teacher can help students understand what is required by assigning a task that must be completed.

Task

A task narrows and focuses project work by providing a specific item to complete. This task is often created by the teacher, however, advanced students may also help to design the task in a project-based learning experience.

Next

Why Directions?

Reading method that involves highlighting, summarizing, and asking questions to improve comprehension and retention.

Directions help students to know what to do to stay on task and make progress on their project. They should explain to students how to proceed in doing the project, and tell what specific items must be addressed in the project (

Directions

directions give students more guidance on how to get there. Projects can last for days and weeks so it is easy for students — when given a lot of time — to waste time or work on things that may not be relevant to project requirements.

Next

Why Student choice matters?

Reading method that involves highlighting, summarizing, and asking questions to improve comprehension and retention.

When students are given choices for learning, they develop creative thinking, innovation and decision-making skills for the Information Age.

Student Choice

Though project-based learning will include a task and directions, it’s important that these are not so detailed that there can be no student choice in the matter. The teacher must permit student choices in project-based learning.

Next

Why Student Inquiry is a component?

Reading method that involves highlighting, summarizing, and asking questions to improve comprehension and retention.

The student-centered nature of project-based learning means that students are involved in inquiry processes

Student Inquiry

Student inquiry means that students themselves are finding and evaluating information to help them complete a project.

Next

Within Students learn a variety of leadership skills by assigning and following up on responsibilities, seeking information, making a plan of action and doing other group activities.

Collaboration and teamwork

Next

Why is coaching and feedback important?

Reading method that involves highlighting, summarizing, and asking questions to improve comprehension and retention.

Coaching may be provided to help students return to productivity when they have drifted from the task. The teacher can also give feedback that tells students how to improve their work.

Teacher Coaching and Feedback

The teacher provides coaching and feedback to students during the project, and evaluates students' projects when they are completed. Teachers coach students by showing or telling them how to improve what they are doing or how to better follow directions and meet project requirements.

Next

Why is Student Reflection needed?

Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on a concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.

Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on a concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.

Reading method that involves highlighting, summarizing, and asking questions to improve comprehension and retention.

Both individuals and groups of students can reflect on their experiences with project-based learning. The teacher can require reflection activities such as brainstorming, journaling and group discussions. Reflection activities can help students improve their learning and performance.

Academic-Personal Balance

Growth Mindset

Self-awareness

Recognition of strengths, weaknesses, and emotions to make more conscious decisions.

Belief that abilities develop through effort, practice, and perseverance.

Ability to maintain a healthy balance between studying, leisure, rest, and social life.

Student Reflection

Students reflect at many different points in the project-based learning process. They may consider how to proceed in a project, how to better work as a group, and whether sufficient progress has been made.

Next

Why should students be an active audience in the presentation?

Reading method that involves highlighting, summarizing, and asking questions to improve comprehension and retention.

The audience in question could just comprise students in the classroom, but ideally a wider audience should be sought for public presentation of tasks

Public Presentation

Project-Based learning often results in authentic and useful products that represent students’ knowledge. Presenting these products to a wide audience is a great way to showcase student work.

Back to the beginning