The Buck Institute for Education has become a centre for research and innovation concerning the approach referred to as Project Based Learning. As an entity PBL can best be seen as a collection of approaches, rather than a distinct pedagogy, aligned with a socio-constructivist philosophy of learning and education. BIE define PBL as,
Project Based Learning is a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging and complex question, problem, or challenge.
In its activities as an organisation BIE has sought to clarify the elements which need to be present to make PBL highly effective, what it calls Gold Standard PBL.
In addition to clarifying the elements of Gold standard PBL Design which include:
Challenging Problem or Question
Sustained Inquiry
Authenticity
Student Voice & Choice
Reflection
Critique & Revision
Public Product
BIE has also sought to identify the practices of the Gold Standard PBL educator. This has been summarised in the following diagram by BIE.
Infinity has taken a number of these gold standards and built them into our own approach to teaching and learning outlined within our design principles and distinguishing features.
To find out more about the work of BIE click here.
