Miriam
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I recently had a conversation with an education expert about project-based learning, who reminded me that “project-based learning is a passing education trend that schools stopped practicing.” I know that schools and teachers are usually influenced by the latest education trend, which they are convinced will transform education as we know it. In most cases,…
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Project-based learning is taking the world by storm. More schools than ever are investing in PBL to teach key 21st-Century employability skills and promote social and emotional learning. A recent influx in research also suggests PBL boosts achievement across demographics, leveling the playing field for underserved populations. In early 2021, India’s government signed a $500…
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Assessment in traditional teaching used to be “easy.” On test day, teachers would pass paper and pencil tests full of multiple-choice and matching questions, which would definitively determine what a student had (or hadn’t) learned. Of course, we now know this method is far from accurate. One day and one test aren’t nearly enough to assess students’ learning, especially when we test knowledge…
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Research may be the most important skill our students need to succeed in the future, but studies suggests that even our most advanced students aren’t prepared enough in this area. Since research is a key part of decision-making, you can see why this is an issue. If this trend continues, it could even be detrimental to our…
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Project Pals has partnered with Bloom Public School in India’s capital, New Delhi, as part of their project-based learning (PBL) enhancement program. The projects produced by these students exceed all expectations and truly embody the spirit of PBL in their authenticity and engagement. Right from the start, students utilized all the tools our platform has to offer with mastery, including more…
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“Corporate America spends more than $275 billion each year on approximately 200,000 projects. Many of these projects will fail, but not for lack of money or technology; most will fail for lack of skilled project management.” It was this 1999 study from the international research firm The Standish Group that made me realize the extent…
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If you’re an educator in the U.S., chances are you already have several English Language Learners (ELLs) in your classroom. ELLs account for more than 10% of the total K-12 student population, and are on the rise in a majority of states according to a report by the U.S. Department of Education. These students, who are…
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There’s a reason teachers are turning their attention towards trendy, more holistic educational approaches like PBL and SEL. The pendulum is finally swinging away from passive practices like “teaching to test” and traditional, teacher-centered instruction in favor of more active approaches to learning. PBL and SEL offer the attractive promise of preparing students for an…
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Project-based learning (PBL or PjBL) is a student-centered, inquiry-based approach to instruction where students engage in authentic learning through problem-based projects. The benefits of PBL are numerous: Students are building essential 21st century skills like leadership, communication, and critical thinking as they collaborate to construct their own conclusions about the world around them. But these…
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As we near the beginning of a new school year, it’s time to reflect on the effects distance learning has had on our students. Most of the feedback I’ve heard—whether in person or read online—focuses on the negative effects of this experience; how students missed a whole year of schooling due to ineffective practices of…
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The idea of project-based learning appeals to you. You may have seen the research that shows PBL can improve student learning outcomes, enagagement, and even attendance. All signs point to PBL as possibly one of the best ways to prepare your students for success in the real world. But, changing the very core of your…
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The students of United Independent School District in Texas started using Project Pals a year ago when the pandemic just started. In this difficult year, when most learning conducted online has mostly produced some frustrating learning experiences, these students have exceeded all expectations by creating some amazing projects using Project Pals. The projects done by…