Reviewing Problem Based Learning

Video Transcription

Hello, and thank you for joining me for reviewing problem-based and project learning. The essential questions that we'll be able to answer by the end of today's tutorial are, what is PBL? And how can I implement PBL in my classroom?

So what is problem-based learning? Essentially, it's a teaching method where students are able to gain knowledge and skills for working on a project for an extended period of time. During this time, they're able to investigate and respond to a complex question, problem, or challenge. Usually, this is a challenge or question or problem the teacher sets.

There are several essential elements to PBL. One of the essential elements is significant content. And this just involves the knowledge and the skills which need to be aligned to the standards, which most likely are going to be those Common Core state standards.

Next we have 21st century competencies. And this includes things like critical thinking, creativity and innovation, problem solving, and more.

We also have in-depth inquiry. And this is just a process that's an extended process of asking questions. It also involves students who are able to use resources to develop answers.

We also have our driving or essential question. And this is just that the work is going to be focused around an open-ended question that engages students. This question is also the question that sets the stage for their inquiry. So this is the question that the teacher comes up with that sets everything in motion.

Then we have the need to know. And this is where students see the need to gain knowledge. So they want to gain the knowledge. They're not doing it essentially because it's a homework assignment, but they're doing it because they want to know the answer to the question.

There's also voice in choice. And this is where students are allowed to make some of the decisions and choices about their project or the work that they're doing.

We also have critique or revision. And this is where students give and receive feedback on the quality of their work. This can be from a teacher, it could be from a classmate. This feedback eventually will lead to a revision or to further inquiry.

And then lastly, we have publicly presented product. And this is where this class is presenting their product to an authentic public audience. So it's not just taking place in the classroom with the teacher.

So what are the steps to PBL? It starts with step one, which at the top here is in blue. And this is where the teacher gives an ill-structured problem to the students. This problem is open-ended or messy, and this is the problem that students are going to try to solve.

Step two includes a definition of the problem. So the students are figuring out what all the details of the problem are, is it multifaceted, how can I put this into my own words.

Step three includes the knowledge inventory. And this is just a list of what we know about the problem, and what we need to know.

Then we have a generation of possible solutions. So this is where the students are collaborating, they're brainstorming, and they're coming up with solutions to the problem.

Then we have a formulation of learning issues. So this is going to be for self-directed and coached learning. And this just is a way that the students show their metacognition, they know their strengths and weaknesses, and they know how to get assistance for that so that they can be successful.

And lastly, we have the sharing of findings or the solution. And this, like I said, is going to be for an authentic audience.

Now that we have a good sense of problem-based learning, let's move on to project-based learning. It's important to understand the theory behind project-based learning. Originally, project-based learning was connected to constructivism, which Jean Piaget really made popular. And Piaget essentially said that learners will internalize or construct knowledge from the activities that they're participating in during instruction.

Essentially, this led to inquiry-based model which is used today. And originally, this was called discovery education. It was Richard and Rebecca DuFour who actually made constructivism very popular along with Robert Eaker and Thomas Many. And they called this learning by doing. But historically, project-based learning has been influenced by Vytgosky, Montessori, and Bruner. And it actually stems all the way back to when the term was first derived by John Dewey and William Kilpatrick in 1818.

So it's important to understand that project-based learning, which is what we just talked about, is not the same as problem-based learning. Project-based learning has a focus on an open-ended question. And it does still include an authentic application, so creating an authentic project. And it still does have an emphasis on 21st century skills, such as creativity, communication, and more.

It requires an inquiry focus, and usually project-based learning is going to be longer and more integrated than traditional tasks or assignments that you would see in a classroom. It is also multidisciplinary, which just means that this project could be taking place in several different content areas for the student. And it occurs over a long period of time.

It is usually a multi-step project, and it does include a performance or production as a summative assessment. And it's authentic to the real world.

So why would you want to use either PBL in your classroom? And remember, that's problem-based learning and project-based learning. Well, you would want to use it because both of them apply content standards and skills, which is important. We want to be tackling those Common Core state standards. And this is just a more authentic way to do it.

It deals also with authentic problems for the students. So they're not just studying something in a textbook, they're applying it to the real world. It also can actively engage students, and it will lead to collaboration, because oftentimes students are working in groups.

Taking that one step further, it's really going to help our students with their collaboration and their communication skills. Those, along with creativity, and critical thinking skills, make up 21st century skills that we want our students to have.

And both PBLs really create student ownership, because they include student voice and choice, not only in the way that their research is going but also in the way that they produce their summative assessment for their audience. So are you more inclined to use problem-based learning or project-based learning in your classroom? Why?

And which PBL do you think your students would enjoy more? Why?

Today we talked about, what is PBL, and how can I implement PBL in my classroom. For more information on how to apply what you learned in this video, please view the additional resources section that accompanies this video presentation. The additional resources section includes hyperlinks useful for applications of the course material, including a brief description of each resource. Thank you for joining me and happy teaching.