Key lessons from research about project-based teaching and learning

For many students, project-based learning (PBL) can be more engaging than more traditional instructional approaches. Over the past 15 years, Anna Saavedra and Amie Rapaport studied seven inquiry-based approaches. Their research shows that PBL has a positive effect on students’ achievement and development of important soft skills. Schools can maximize chances of success by providing expert-created, high-quality, adaptable materials; aligned professional learning opportunities; and a supportive schoolwide culture. Some of the challenges of PBL implementation include the tension between breadth and depth of content, keeping projects central to the curriculum, misalignment of standardized assessments with PBL, and financial requirements.