Criteria for Authentic Project Based LearningStudents today are using online resources to create research reports. They are
designing, critiquing, and presenting products using interactive technologies.
Here are some guidelines and criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of
problem- and project-based learning in your classroom.
- Allows for a variety of learning styles
- “Real” world oriented – learning has value beyond the demonstrated
competence of the learner - Risk-free environment – provides positive feedback and allow choice
- Encourages the use of higher order thinking skills and learning concepts as
well as basic facts - Utilizes hands-on approaches
- Provides for in-depth understanding
- Accessible for all learners
- Utilizes various modes of communication
- Assessment is congruent with instruction, i.e. performance-based
- Students are responsible for their own learning
- Students have ownership of their learning within the curriculum
- Projects promote meaningful learning, connecting new learning to
students’ past performances - Learning utilizes real time data – investigating data and drawing
conclusions - The learning process is valued as well as the learning project
- Learning cuts across curricular areas – multidisciplinary in nature
- Teacher is a facilitator of learning
- Student self-assessment of learning is encouraged
From: http://www.rmcdenver.com/useguide/pbl.htm
A Sample Project Planning Form- Begin with the end in mind.
Summarize the theme for the project. Why do this project? Identify the content
standards that students will learn in this project. Identify key skills that students will
learn in this project. Identify the habits of mind that students will practice in this
project. - Craft the driving question.
State the essential question or problem statement for the project. The statement
should encompass all project content and outcomes, and it should provide a
central focus for student inquiry.