As Project Based Learning gains momentum around the world, it’s more important than ever that teachers, students, and stakeholders share a common understanding of what high-quality PBL means. To that end, BIE Executive Director John Mergendoller made the case for a new gold standard for PBL during his keynote address on the final morning of PBL World.

Mergendoller has spent months researching and reflecting about a global gold standard that will be “aspirational, inclusive, empirically-based, and community vetted.” To inform his thinking, he drew inspiration from the Renaissance architecture students who demanded active engagement and hands-on learning. He took a fresh look at the writings of influential American thinkers John Dewey and William Kilpatrick. He also focused on the best practices developed in recent years by schools that have been pioneers of effective PBL, such as those in the Deeper Learning Network. 

The quest for a gold standard may seem lofty, but the application will be practical. Mergendoller posed this common-sense question: “Would you want your child to learn this way?” PBL that meets the gold standard “needs to be more than messin’ about,” he added.

As the first draft of a gold standard definition, Mergendoller proposes modifying the eight essential elements of PBL that BIE has been promoting since 2010. Although the gold standard is still open for feedback and revision, several revisions to the essentials are likely. For example:

Sustained inquiry: Although in-depth inquiry has always been central to BIE’s definition of PBL, Mergendoller said it’s worth emphasizing that inquiry takes time. Sustained inquiry doesn’t happen in a single class period or short-term learning experience.

Authentic: Giving a shout-out to PBL keynoter Sam Seidel (@husslington) and his refrain to “keep it real,” Mergendoller said he’s become convinced that authentic learning experiences are critical for student engagement. “PBL needs to be relevant to students’ lives,” he said. Real-world connections put learning in contexts that matter to students, adding value to their communities.

Project Based Teaching: “The teacher is KEY to effective PBL,” Mergendoller said, explaining why he wants to add Project Based Teaching to the gold standard. Mentioning John Hattie’s research, he emphasized the importance of the teacher role in monitoring, constantly assessing, and revising learning experiences to help students achieve learning goals. “It requires constant scaffolding,” he said, which means deliberate teaching strategies.

Effective Learning Teams: Student collaboration also gets new emphasis in Mergendoller’s proposed model. Shared planning, goal setting, and divergent and convergent thinking all come out of effective collaborative experiences. “Teams are fundamental to PBL. It’s how students learn self-management, collaboration, how they argue for their point of view.”

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

You can review related resources and provide feedback on the Gold Standard page at bie.org. In the months ahead, BIE will be using a variety of social media tools and formats to expand this conversation.

Watch a post-keynote Google Hangout with John Mergendoller.