Overview from Amazing

Increase achievement and engagement for all students in 21st century classrooms!

Project-based learning has emerged as one of today’s most effective instructional practices. In PBL, students confront real-world issues and problems, collaborate to create solutions, and present their results. This exciting new book describes how PBL fosters 21st century skills and innovative thinking. The author provides instructional strategies, assessment methods, and detailed instruction on how to:

  • Design projects for various content areas across all grade levels
  • Integrate technology throughout the learning process
  • Use Khan Academy, webquests, wikis, and more to foster deeper conceptual learning
  • Build social learning networks
  • Differentiate instruction by scaffolding supports for the learning process

Why this is a must-read

In Project Based Learning: Differentiating for the 21st Century, William Bender makes a case for the need for students to control read world issues in an interactive and engaging way. Citing recent research, Bender explains the need for students to experience 21st skills in their classrooms: collaboration, communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and problem solving. 

Throughout the text, Bender showcases several sample PBL projects so readers gain an understanding of the mechanics of the project from a teacher’s perspective. Also, Bender addresses implementation strategies at both the classroom leave and PBL school-wide. 

My favorite part of this book is chapters 4 and 5, which is the “meat and potatoes” of the planning and implementation. Bender walks teachers through the steps of planning from defined the “project anchor”, to drafting the “driving questions”, to embedding student voice and choice as well as authentic research, this section is details and breaks down the PBL process in an understandable way.

The book ends with a lot of resources and tools for teachers to use related to assessment. I know the idea of having students engaging in multiple different projects at the same time can be overwhelming, but chapter 6 provides great suggestions for project management and grading.

Pick up your copy

If you are interested in purchasing a copy of Project Based Learning: Differentiating for the 21st Century for yourself, you can find it on Amazon here.


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