What are the steps to becoming an impactful PBL educator?

by Dr. Candice Wilson-McCain

I spent my summer advising schools interested in launching project-based learning initiatives and supporting teachers as they became project-based educators. I also hosted professional learning experiences for four weeks. Connecting with a community of current and aspiring project-based educators was refreshing.

Some of the teachers had attended formal PBL training before. However, most teachers only had an introductory knowledge of project-based learning.  Many of them knew the what or the why of PBL but struggled with implementation.  Over the years, I've learned that this is not uncommon.

Becoming a project-based educator takes time and practice.  PBL is not something that can be mastered in one workshop. Effective project-based educators focus on student academic and personal growth and their own growth as well. They understand that it's a journey. 

When I'm speaking with school leaders interested in launching or relaunching a PBL initiative, one of the questions I ask them is:  "Which stage of the PBL journey are most of your teachers?"

This question can be quite challenging to answer.  Schools have staff turnover yearly, and teachers come to schools with various experiences and backgrounds. Not knowing where teachers are on their journey can make it challenging to get started. 

But after training hundreds of teachers, I've noticed that most teachers need five components to be successful. You are probably wondering if there are teachers who have experienced success without having access to all of the components below. Sure, but I'm talking about the rule, not the exception.

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The five components are:

1. Support 

2. Tools 

3. Education 

4. Plan of Action

5. Self-Reflection

With this knowledge, I've broken down the journey to becoming a project-based educator into four phases.  Each phase is defined by how a teacher answers questions related to the essential components listed above.  

The four phases are: 

1. The Wanderer

2. The Explorer

3. The Adventurer

4. The Navigator

Let's explore each stage. As you read, consider where you are on this journey.  And remember, it's not about flying through the phases.  It's about growing at your own pace as you improve your craft.  Let's explore each stage. As you read, consider where you are on this journey.  And remember, it's not about flying through the phases.  It's about growing at your own pace as you improve your craft.  

The Wanderer

A wanderer is a person who travels aimlessly. In PBL terms, this would be a teacher who is interested in project-based learning but may still be unsure of what PBL sounds, feels, and looks like in the classroom.

You know you are a Wanderer if you can resonate with many of these statements surrounding the five essential components.

• Support:  I don't have access to a community of project-based educators to collaborate, co-plan, and connect with during my PBL journey. 

• Tools:   I don't have access to the tools and resources necessary for students to create quality PBL experiences.

• Education:  I have not completed formal project-based learning training and I'm unfamiliar with the essential components of a PBL unit. 

• Plan of Action: I have never designed or facilitated a project-based learning experience. 

• Self-Reflection: I lack the skills to lead and support my students through a project-based learning experience.

How many of the five statements resonated with you?  If you identified with most of the statements, you might be a Wanderer. 

The Explorer

By definition, an explorer is a person who travels in search of scientific information. In PBL terms, this is a teacher who is highly interested in project-based learning. They are actively seeking information and resources to further their development. They have a sense of what PBL sounds, feels, and looks like in the classroom.

You know you are an Explorer if you can resonate with many of these statements surrounding the five essential components.

• Support: I have access to a community of project-based educators with whom I can collaborate, co-plan, and connect during my journey, but I rarely engage with my network.

• Tools: I have access to some of the tools and resources necessary for students to create quality PBL experiences.

• Education:  I completed some form of PBL training last year, and I'm somewhat familiar with the essential components of a PBL unit.

• Plan of Action:  I have designed and facilitated one project-based learning experience using a designated planning framework.

• Self-Reflection: I'm somewhat confident I have the skills to lead and support my students through a project-based learning experience. After each unit, I reflect on my PBL unit plan and instructional practices.

How many of the five statements resonated with you?  If you identified with most of the statements, you might be an Explorer. 

The Adventurer  

An adventurer, by definition, is someone willing to take risks because they are seeking an exciting experience. In PBL terms: This is a teacher who has taken the initiative to implement the learning gained through training and has executed project-based learning experiences.

You know you are an Adventurer if you can resonate with many of these statements surrounding the five essential components.

• Support: I have access to a community of project-based educators to collaborate, co-plan, and connect with during my journey and sometimes I engage with the network

• Tools: I know how to utilize the tools and resources I have to facilitate quality PBL experiences. I don't know where and how to obtain the additional resources that I need to enhance my PBL unit.

• Education: I have completed formal PBL training within the last year and I continue to enhance my skills through quarterly professional development.

• Plan of Action: This year, I have designed and facilitated two project-based learning experiences using a designated planning framework.

• Self-Reflection: I'm confident I have the skills to lead and support my students through a project-based learning experience. I reflect on my PBL unit plan and instructional practice. I use the findings to modify existing PBL units.

How many of the five statements resonated with you?  If you identified with most of the statements, you might be an Adventurer. 

The Navigator

When you think of a navigator, you often visualize someone taking the lead on a project, trip, or journey. They know enough information about the topic or task to help others on their journey.

You know you are a Navigator if you can resonate with many of these statements surrounding the five essential components.

• Support: I have access to a community of project-based educators with whom I can collaborate, co-plan, and connect during my PBL journey. I consistently engage with this network.

• Tools: I know how to utilize the tools and resources I have to facilitate quality PBL experiences. I know where and how to obtain the additional resources that I need to enhance my PBL unit.

• Education:  I have completed formal PBL training within the last year and I continue to enhance my skills through monthly professional development.

• Plan of Action: This year, I designed and facilitated two project-based learning experiences using a designated planning framework.

• Self-Reflection: I'm confident that I have the skills necessary to lead and support my students through a project-based learning experience. I reflect on my PBL unit plan and instructional practices, using the findings to modify existing PBL units. I feel comfortable mentoring aspiring project-based teachers.

How many of the five statements resonated with you?  If you identified with most of the statements, you might be a Navigator.

You may be thinking, what if I resonate with descriptors from various stages - where should I place myself?  I suggest that you don't move yourself to the next level unless you can check every box on a particular stage. 

Now that you know whether you are a Wanderer, an Explorer, an Adventurer, or a Navigator, set a goal for yourself and a tentative timeline to reach that goal. 

Use these sentence frames to guide you:

• By ____ time, I will be a ____ on the journey to becoming an impactful project-based educator. 

• My top three action steps are _________.

If you’re stumped, this example might help: 

By May, I will be an Explorer on the journey to becoming an impactful project-based educator. 

My three action steps are:

1. Checking in with my PBL partner twice per week

2. Attending a three-day workshop to learn how to plan and facilitate a PBL experience

3. Facilitating one project-based learning experience with my students

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