The Active Classroom Initiative # 1

After reading about what makes up PBL projects from BIE, I’ve noticed some commonalities in place that are seen in most PBL projects. Notably:

• Real world connection
• Communication with experts
• Student voice and choice (or agency)
• Presentations of final projects for the public
• A movement from individual to group to whole class

I also read about authenticity in PBL in an article from Edutopia. A mark of an authentic PBL project is that the work is real and authentic to the students’ lives. According to the article, the four characteristics of an authentic PBL project are:

1. The project meets a real need beyond the classroom, or products created are used by real people.
2. There is a focus on a relevant issue for students
3. There is a realistic scenario or simulation
4. It involves real world tools, tasks, standards, and processes
   

These are all good to know as I begin to assemble my project.