Build a PBL bookshelf for your own professional reading and share titles with colleagues to promote deeper discussions about the opportunities and challenges of project-based learning. Here are several titles we recommend.
Berger, R. (2003). An ethic of excellence: Building a culture of craftsmanship with students. Portsmouth, NH: Heineman.
Ron Berger shares insights gained as chief program officer for Expeditionary Learning, a national network of PBL schools. Berger emphasizes the value of students producing “beautiful work” and shares three simple but powerful rules for providing critical feedback: Be kind. Be specific. Be helpful.
Boss, S., & Krauss, J. (2007). Reinventing project-based learning: Your field guide to real-world projects for the digital age. Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education.
Designed to follow the arc of a project, this book offers an accessible introduction to PBL with digital tools. Project examples from around the world show how PBL works in diverse contexts.
Boss, S. (2012). Bringing innovation to school: Empowering students to thrive in a changing world. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree.
The author showcases breakthrough projects in which students become effective community problem solvers, describes a process for emphasizing innovation in PBL, and shares strategies for encouraging more creative thinking in classroom and community alike.
Katz, L., & Chard, S. (2000). Engaging children’s minds: The project approach (2nd ed.). Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger.
The authors combine academic insights with classroom vignettes of in-depth, student-driven investigations involving young learners. They make PBL accessible by demonstrating that good questions for student investigations—How do we build a house? How does our school bus take us places safely?—are right at hand.
Hallerman, H., & Larmer, J. (2011). PBL in the elementary grades: Step-by-step guidance, tools, and tips for standards-focused K–5 projects. Novato, CA: Buck Institute for Education.
With a specific focus on PBL in the elementary grades, this book combines practical tools with classroom tips for scaffolding critical thinking, fostering collaboration, and building a foundation for other 21st-century skills. Seven project spotlights illustrate PBL from grades K–5.
Larmer, J. (2009). PBL starter kit: To-the-point advice, tools, and tips for your first project. Novato, CA: Buck Institute for Education.
Along with practical tools for project design, management, and assessment, this guidebook includes detailed descriptions of six spotlight projects in middle school and high school.
Buck Institute for Education (www.bie.org)
Buck Institute for Education (BIE) promotes project-based learning to improve 21st-century teaching and learning. In addition to delivering professional development and coaching to districts nationwide, the nonprofit organization maintains an online library of project plans and videos; provides downloadable tools for project planning, management, and assessment; and tracks research on the effectiveness of PBL.
Edutopia (www.edutopia.org)
Edutopia, produced by the George Lucas Educational Foundation, promotes project-based learning as a key strategy to improve teaching and learning. The website includes an extensive library of videos, articles, blogs, research summaries, and classroom guides, along with online communities where educators can connect with colleagues.
Envision Education (www.envisionschools.org)
Envision Education includes four all-PBL, college-prep high schools in California, along with Envision Learning Partners, which provides professional development and coaching. Envision Schools Project Exchange (www.envisionprojects.org) includes detailed project examples, including videotaped reflections from teachers and students.
ePals (www.epals.org)
The ePals Global Community is a collaborative space for sharing project ideas and connecting with classrooms from around the world.
Expeditionary Learning (http://elschools.org/)
A national network of PBL schools, Expeditionary Learning publishes detailed project examples in its online project showcase.
High Tech High (www.hightechhigh.org/)
A network of K–12 charter schools in Southern California, High Tech High publishes a peer-reviewed journal called Unboxed and shares project examples and other PBL resources online.
iEARN (www.iearn.org)
iEARN, the International Education and Resource Network, is a nonprofit global network that enables teachers and youth to use the Internet and other technologies to collaborate on projects that enhance learning and make a difference in the world.
New Tech Network (www.newtechnetwork.org)
A national network of PBL-based high schools, New Tech Network shares project success stories and other resources on its blog (www.new technetwork.org/newtech_blog). New Tech Network also facilitates a weekly Twitter chat about PBL. Follow #pblchat on Twitter.
Reinventing Project-Based Learning Blog (http://reinventingpbl.blog spot.com)
Co-authors Jane Krauss and Suzie Boss maintain this blog to track trends, opportunities, and reflections related to project-based learning as an international trend in education.