Update 5

I found a very cool YouTube video that explains the BIE approach to PBL.

In this approach, there are 4 phases.

Phase1:  Launch Project (Entry Event/Driving Question).

Phase 2: Build Knowledge, Understanding, and Skills.

Phase 3: Develop and Revise Products and Answers to the DQ.

Phase 4: Present Products that answers the DQ.

In the Launch Phase, it catches the interest of your students. I really liked the option of using a field trip or video to drive the project.

Throughout the video, the main focus is that it is student driven. I think often as educators we try to control too much of what is going on, or over guide our students.

I know that I always say that because my students are so young, they need a lot of direction and we can’t focus as much as I’d like to on PBL assignments. However, in the video, the example given is a Kindergarten science unit about pushes and pulls. The project engaged the students, and was still student based inquiry.

I think a lot of the challenges with an approach like this (the 4 part approach) is time constraints as well as curriculum constraints. My district has a set curriculum that we as teachers are to follow with fidelity. I know that as much as I’d like to focus more on PBL, the curriculum and time constraints don’t allow us as educators as much flexibility and time as I’d like.

I think when done correctly, PBL is incredible for both the students and the teacher, and often both the teacher and students get even more out of it, then they would have learning the material in a different way.

I hope that with more experience in the classroom and more flexibility, I’ll be able to really dig into PBL.