Novato, CA (July 23, 2019) -- Shifting from traditional instruction to Project Based Learning (PBL) is a big journey of professional learning and reflection for a teacher — one that can be tough to navigate without the right support. So PBLWorks, the leader in project-based learning professional development, is introducing a new step-by-step eBook called “Your Project Based Learning Journey: A Guide for Teachers.” Based on educational research and the experience of guiding tens of thousands of educators through the process over the past decade, this guide covers questions a teacher is likely to have about PBL as they start out.
In addition, PBLWorks has updated its popular 3-day PBL 101 Workshop (a key element of the PBL journey) with enhanced content and "just-in-time" online support.
These new offerings come at an opportune time, as PBL is growing in popularity across the U.S. and gaining traction around the world.
About the Teacher’s eBook
“We’ve been providing professional development for Project Based Learning for years, and we wanted to create a simple way to explain exactly what this process entails,” said Bob Lenz, CEO of PBLWorks. “So we’ve created an easy-to-understand overview to help teachers and administrators follow the steps for successful PBL implementation.”
The new PBLWorks teacher’s guide takes teachers stage-by-stage, from PBL Day One through PBL mastery, and beyond.
Stage 1: Discover the what & why of PBL
Stage 2: Learn how to design and implement PBL
Stage 3: Implement your project in the classroom
Stage 4: Reflect on lessons learned and plan next steps
Stage 5: Share & Lead to help others on their PBL Journey
To view the downloadable guide, Your Project Based Learning Journey: A Guide for Teachers, visit http://go.pblworks.org/pbl-journey-guide-teachers.
About the PBL 101 Workshop
PBLWorks has updated its popular PBL 101 Workshop while retaining its most essential features to help teachers gain a deeper understanding of PBLWorks’ Gold Standard Project Design. The workshop now offers enhanced content with tighter connections to learning outcomes, a stronger emphasis on equity, greater clarity about assessments, guidance through the project design process, and access to the new MyPBLWorks online learning platform for a full year.
The MyPBLWorks platform includes a project library, online learning modules, tools such as rubrics and a project planner, as well as a full bank of other resources for facilitating high quality PBL with students.
“Our goal has always been to help teachers get up and running with PBL, as quickly and as confidently as possible,” said Lenz. “The PBL 101 Workshop is a key element in a longer journey toward helping students achieve critical academic and 21st Century skills.”
About Project Based Learning
In Project Based Learning, teachers make learning come alive for students. Students work on a project over an extended period of time – from a week up to a semester – that engages them in solving a real-world problem or answering a complex question. They demonstrate their knowledge and skills by developing a public product or presentation for a real audience. As a result, students develop deep content knowledge as well as critical thinking, creativity, and communication skills in the context of doing an authentic, meaningful project.
About PBLWorks
At PBLWorks (the brand name of the Buck Institute for Education) we believe that all students—no matter where they live or what their background—should have access to quality Project Based Learning to deepen their learning and achieve success in college, career, and life. Our focus is to build the capacity of teachers to design and facilitate quality Project Based Learning and the capacity of school and system leaders to create the conditions for teachers to implement great projects with all students. For more information, visit www.pblworks.org.