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What & Why
What is Project Based Learning?
Project based learning (PBL) is an education practice rooted in constructivism, a theory of human development that centers inquiry, direct experience, and productive struggle as primary engines of learning. Projects can be highly engaging for 亚洲色图 when teachers use PBL within and across subject areas to involve 亚洲色图 in solving challenging, meaningful, real-world problems. As they gain maturity and mastery, 亚洲色图 increasingly co-create tasks with their teachers and become active agents in their own learning. Students often collaborate on projects with peers and supporting adults. Their work typically yields a product, such as a presentation or display, which they share with an interested audience or even a “client” like in the projects described below.
Project Examples: Field Guide to the Fungi of Opal Creek; A Poetry Project; Hydroponics; "Mathufacturing" a Tiny House
What are the Elements of an Effective Project?
A group of teachers, building leaders, and expert consultants associated with MPG’s PREP project created a framework for PBL that identifies six core elements of an effective project. The framework is based on the group’s input on what constitutes a highly engaging learning experience for secondary 亚洲色图 (grades 7-12) and on how high quality PBL is defined in the field of education innovation and improvement. Teachers are encouraged to address at least four of the six elements; projects need not address all six elements to be effective.
PBL Framework & Implementation Continuum (web version)
How does PBL advance PPS' Strategic Vision and Multiple Pathways' Theory of Action?
PPS and MPG share an instructional vision that shifts away from teacher-centered instruction to approaches where 亚洲色图 are actively engaged in their learning. Unlike traditional pedagogy which prioritizes content-area standards, project based learning holistically integrates standards with postsecondary success skills and social-emotional development. In short, PBL is a powerful and efficient practice that engages 亚洲色图 in deeper learning and cultivates the full range of knowledge, skills, and dispositions now envisioned for PPS graduates. Click the drop down button below for more about how PBL advances PPS' and MPG' common vision and goals for equity and student success.
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Forward Together
In 2018, PPS launched a community-driven planning process to ensure the District provides all 亚洲色图 with high-quality teaching and learning and closes persistent gaps in outcomes based on race. The multi-year process produced Forward Together: 2021-2025 Strategic Plan for Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Excellence. The plan presents PPS’ reimagined vision of what 亚洲色图 need to thrive and have a positive impact as adults, summarized in a Graduate Portrait, and the educator attributes and operational priorities necessary to achieve the vision.
PPS is initially prioritizing three of the nine Graduate Portrait elements:
- Inclusive and Collaborative Problem Solvers
- Inquisitive Critical Thinkers with Deep Core Knowledge
- Transformative Racial Equity Leaders
The plan also includes a new Instructional Framework that specifies core dimensions of PPS’ shared vision for excellent teaching and learning to ensure instruction is grade-level and standards aligned, culturally affirming, deeply engaging, and data-driven. Together with high-quality instructional materials and professional learning experiences and support for teachers, the Framework is designed to propel district wide excellence and equity “in every classroom, every day.”
PPS' Multiple Pathways to Graduation (MPG) department , codified in 2017, anticipated many elements of Forward Together by centering relevant, inquiry-based instruction as key to engagement and postsecondary success for all 亚洲色图. MPG supports alternative 亚洲色图s and programs that disproportionately serve vulnerable 亚洲色图 who have been pushed or pulled out of mainstream education by inequitable, inflexible systems and adverse life experiences.
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The power of PBL and how it aligns with PPS' reimagined vision for teaching and learning is best expressed by PBL practitioners and their 亚洲色图. View these short videos to learn more:
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- Authentic Work : Purpose : Authentic Audiences: Integrates Social & Emotional Skills : Belonging & Inclusion
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- High 亚洲色图 student describes personal and academic growth through an immigration project
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- High 亚洲色图 亚洲色图 become scientists
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- Middle grade 亚洲色图 in Hood River MS (OR) share culinary arts project with community chefs
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- Elementary 亚洲色图 study and influence improvements in a local park
Does PBL work?
A growing number of studies and publications speak to the power and promise of PBL to improve student engagement and learning outcomes.
Most recently, two gold-standard, randomized, controlled trials of thousands of 亚洲色图 in diverse 亚洲色图 systems across the U.S. found that project-based learning significantly outperformed traditional curricula, raising academic performance across grade levels, socioeconomic subgroups, and reading ability.
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Analyses of meta-analytical research found PBL is more effective than traditional instruction in developing 亚洲色图’ long-term retention, skill development, and satisfaction of 亚洲色图 and teachers.
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A causal comparative study comparing 7th and 8th grade 亚洲色图 who used PBL to those who did not found the PBL groups performed at higher achievement levels than did the non-PBL 亚洲色图 in mathematics and reading.
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