Course | Introduction to Project Based Learning Experiences

At a Glance

• Extended Education
• Approximately 45 hours - Up to 6 months to complete coursework
• 3 PDUs - Graduate Level Professional Development Credits

Program Overview

Looking for effective ways to actively engage your students and make learning more meaningful? Project-Based Learning (PBL) is a dynamic instructional approach that connects academic content to real-world challenges, making learning both relevant and memorable. PBL encourages students to take ownership of their learning through in-depth inquiry, problem-solving, and hands-on projects that reflect authentic tasks and issues. In addition to reinforcing core academic skills, PBL also cultivates essential life skills such as collaboration, effective communication, critical thinking, and time management. In this course, you will explore the key components of high-quality PBL, analyze successful models, and design your own engaging, standards-aligned PBL unit tailored to your grade level and subject area. By the end of the course, you'll be equipped with a practical, classroom-ready unit that fosters student agency and deeper learning.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful mastery of this course, you will be able to:
• Define the term “project based learning”
• Identify the elements of a high quality project based learning experience
• Connect academic standards to real world context
• Create an open ended, complex essential question to guide the project
• Create authentic formative and summative assessments to evaluate learning
• Plan an exhibition of student work

Course Topics:

• PBL Explained
• Elements of a Well Crafted PBL Experience
• High vs. Low Quality Projects
• Zoom In on a Model Project
• Start with the Standards
• Putting the Learning in Context
• Essential vs. Driving Questions
• Craft your Essential or Driving Question
• Matching Learning Goals to Deliverables
• Assess the Deliverables
• Assess and Celebrate Learning
• Plan and Exhibit

Who Should Enroll?

PreK-12 teachers, teacher candidates, school administrators, para-educators

What are Graduate-level Professional Development Credits?

Graduate-level professional development credits are not part of a degree program but instead are primarily used for professional advancement such as salary increment steps and recertification. Students should seek approval from appropriate district officials before enrolling in these courses.

Key Features

• Online and self-paced
• Dedicated mentor
• Interactive assignments
• Real-world case studies
• Authentic assessments
• Earn graduate level professional development credits

Credit

Credit may be available for this course and may vary by country or institution. Please verify eligibility with UMass Global.