What Is Problem Based Learning?

What is Problem Based Learning?

When one thinks of the typical classroom setting and curriculum, images of rows of students sitting in desks with a teacher at the front of the class dictating a lesson come to mind. The idea of the teacher disseminating information to students who then try to memorize it is the general structure of a class setting.

However, problem based learning turns the classroom into a much different setting. More interaction is involved, and much more student engagement is encouraged. In fact, there really is much less “teaching” from the teacher, and much more “student learning” with problem based learning.

Students at the Center of Learning

With problem based learning, the student is the focus of attention, rather than the lesson or the information. With “student-centred” learning, the students become much more engaged in their learning, and find their learning opportunities much more relevant. When students become more interested in what they are learning, they are much more likely to truly internalize and retain the information from their lessons.

What Does Problem Based Learning Look like in the Classroom?

Students involved in a problem based learning structure will be grouped with a small number of other students, who will then collaborate with each other in order to solve the task or problem presented to them. These “problems” are generally presented as a form of a case or challenge that will drive the students to come up with a solution. By learning in such a format, students learn how to think critically, solve problems, and work collaboratively with others.

The problems or projects are generally language based, but can include other elements of the curriculum including math, science, geography, history and social studies.  The teacher acts as a guide and facilitator, but the students must generate their own research, do the reasoning, solve the problem and make a presentation.

Students who are a part of PBL are being taught real world lessons and traits that will become valuable to them as they grow into adults and enter real world situations. The tools they take with them from their PBL projects will prove to be very useful later in life.

PBLSuperstore.com For All your PBL Needs

PBLSuperstore.com is an online resource for information, resources and ready-made units that can be immediately downloaded and used in the classroom setting. Teachers and home schooling parents alike can use these units to help engage their students and children for a truly unique and exciting learning environment.  The units are unique to the PBL Superstore and were specially designed for grades K-10 in the North American curriculum.

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Project Based Learning – Science in the Classroom

Project Based Learning – Science Lessons

Project based learning dates back to Aristotle, but has been used in Canadian and American schools increasingly over the past 50 years. Teachers and students have benefited from project based learning since the 1960′s, when colleagues from McMaster University began developing a unique approach to student engagement in the classroom. Through teacher-facilitated assistance, students were able to learn about various topics and subjects through a much more stimulating and engaging method of learning. With student learning as the focus, project based learning can help students to develop skills that are highly useful later in life.

Project based learning has multiple uses – it can be used across all grade levels and across all subjects, including science. When introducing PBL, students are given projects to work on with a team of their peers.  They work collaboratively as they gather information to help them solve the problem they are assigned. As they dig deeper into the problem, they will eventually arrive at a solution, and thus develop their critical thinking and problem solving skills, followed by presentation skills.

Taking a project-based approach to science can make an often complicated and difficult subject highly enjoyable for all students involved. Fun science-based activities can be used in the science classroom to help students connect to the subject matter and promote a higher level of understanding of various science-based topics.

Science fair projects have always been a popular activity in science classes, which is a variation of project based learning activity. Students involved in these types of projects are given the opportunity to work with others to conduct research on a specific topic, solve scientific problems, and share what they found and learned throughout their investigation.

Project based learning units may also include science components and will allow students to:

• Develop a deeper understanding of  the topic through hands-on activities
• With guidance, do their own research and brainstorming
• Use the  platform to analyze the information they collect and make interesting discoveries
• Use critical thinking skills to solve the problem
• Have the chance to present their findings with their peers

As with any other project based learning assignment, students are able to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills that will prove to be invaluable as they enter real life scenarios.  PBL is the bridge between classroom learning and real life.

For teachers interested in bringing project based learning to their classrooms, the PBLSuperstore.com is the go-to- place for all PBL units. Our units are designed to be easily implemented into any classroom, and come with easy-to-understand instructions and support to make the implementation process go smoothly. Visit PBLSupertore.com for all your PBL needs and science project learning units!