How Does PBL Change the Role of the Student?

At our schools, the student’s role is expanded in that students drive their learning by processing together with their advisors what they want to learn and how they plan to demonstrate what they learned. Advisors provide examples of impressive projects we’ve seen students do in student-driven schools. Keep in mind none of these projects involved direct teaching but rather student choice. I recall 5th grade playwrights who divided up their roles: editor, producer/director, actors, and set designers, and performed their play for families at the end of year celebration. A project that always blew me away was Countries around the World. Each child chose a country to study in-depth. At the event night, they presented their research, dressed in heritage clothing, prepared food from the country and built three-dimensional models of an iconic landmark or natural treasure. Yet another project I saw from 4th graders was a biomes project where they built an interactive aquarium exhibit. Using PVC pipe as a frame, they hung all kinds of creations up so the other student’s experience was like walking through the biome--amazing application and creativity! I remember the book club where 5th graders made a short film as a product to demonstrate their interpretation of the book. A sixth grader created a French cooking episode with her grandmother as her assistant and created a beautiful edible product--crème brûlée! 

The crux of project-based learning is the project process, which students employ over the course of every project. The finesse they demonstrate over time with the project process is a wonder to behold. Their excitement for learning grows because they’re able to entertain their ideas and bring them to fruition. Pablo Picasso stated, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” Too often their learning process is suppressed, and they are not allowed to explore where their curiosity will take them. When students are empowered by voice and choice, there is no limit to what they will create and accomplish. 

We provide personalized guidance and coaching on students’ projects and encourage them to advocate for their interests and learning. Their learning is authentic because they research topics in depth and choose what they want to create to demonstrate what they’ve learned. Students have expanded responsibility as they sometimes take the role of teacher and facilitator; they are confident in what they know and have regular opportunities to speak, both formally and informally. Their learning experience is further enriched by a small, collaborative community in which they regularly see the learning process of those around them. 

At our schools a key component to student empowerment is the Personal Learning Plan (PLP). The PLP is a dynamic portfolio of students’ learning and growth encompassing their individual passions, learning style, and goals. Each week time is dedicated to the development of their PLP where they track their progress, what they are learning, and their continuous improvement. Students have regular one-on-one conversations with their advisor about their goals and reflect on their successes and challenges. Through this process, they take ownership of their learning and push themselves to much greater heights than if they just received a grade or a check mark as in traditional school.  

Our schools expand the student’s learning opportunities and allow them to explore democratic governance. Students at our schools learn in a supportive environment, and they work to maintain an environment conducive to their personal learning needs. Because they are functioning as individuals, they have the ability to grow as quickly or as slowly as they need. Students develop their potential when we have faith in their ability to govern themselves and their surroundings--it’s how they develop faith in themselves. Students are not forced to limit their imagination and passion to accommodate a standard model. With the duality of support and freedom, students are allowed to explore topics of their interest, and it is amazing how much more they accomplish when they own their learning environment and drive their own learning!