5 Benefits of Project Based Learning

Project based learning is an instructional model that has a variety of benefits for students and teachers. In this blog post, I will discuss 5 of the ways project based learning benefits students and their learning.

Engagement

two students working together on a drawing

One of the key components of project based learning is students ownership, and guiding students to have control of their own learning.

With project based learning, students take control of their own learning. They make decisions about their learning, and the projects they are working on, throughout the process.

Having ownership and being able to make decisions about their own learning builds student engagement. When a student is engaged, they have intrinsic motivation to learn.

Differentiation

Project based learning units allow for student choice and decision making. This makes it the perfect set up for differentiation.

Teachers can differentiate for varying learning styles by providing students with a variety of ways to access information or to show what they know.

Differentiating for a variety of learning levels is possible by scaffolding information for students depending on their needs. Give students the amount of help, information or guidance they need to continue to work successfully on their own.

Teachers can also differentiate based on student interests, by designing topics, end products, or methods of learning that interest their specific students.

Builds Confidence

When working on project based learning activities, students explore multiple real world topics. They look at scenarios and work through challenges using a variety of resources.

Having the opportunity to work on projects at their own pace, and being able to make individual choices along the way, builds self confidence in students.

They are allowed to try things, make mistakes, change their direction and try again. Students learn that they can do hard things. They learn they can make real choices that matter. This increases confidence in their own abilities.

Interdisciplinary

PBL units combine the knowledge and skills from multiple subjects to solve real world problems.

Project based learning allows students to transfer knowledge to new situations on a regular basis. The ability to apply knowledge in multiply ways, and in a wide variety of situations helps students see the importance of the information they are learning.

This helps build long term knowledge, not just short term memorization.

In the real world, we apply knowledge and skills in a cross-curricular way when we do our jobs, tackle projects or make decisions. Students should learn to apply knowledge and skills in the same way, and project based learning allows them to do just that!

Real World Learning

globe and laptop computer on yellow background

Teaching using project based learning connects academic situations to the real world.

Students are no longer learning a new skill just to complete 20 problems on a worksheet. They are learning new skills to help solve a real problem with an authentic audience.

Students are no longer learning just because it is their job as a student to learn, but because they want to learn because they have buy in to the end result and the “why” of learning.

Learning is hard work, and having a real purpose for doing the hard work makes it meaningful and allows for more in depth learning and application. Applying learning to real situations promotes life long learning. It encourages a passion for asking questions and finding answers.

Want to Get Started?

If you are ready to get started with project based learning in your classroom, you might want to start by trying a unit that is already made and has all the components you need to implement PBL in your classroom right now. I have several units in my Teachers Pay Teachers store that I know your students will love! Click on the image below to read more about each project and the skills each one focuses on.