[3.2] Sustaining PBL: Identifying common roadblocks

In this fast-paced, ever-changing world, teachers must adapt their teaching methods to prepare students for the challenges they will face in the real world. One approach that has gained traction for its ability to cultivate critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and student engagement is project-based learning (PBL). However, implementing and sustaining a high-impact project-based culture within a school or district comes with challenges. In this episode, we'll explore the roadblocks often encountered in building a sustainable PBL culture and discuss strategies for overcoming these obstacles.We will discuss three primary roadblocks that school or district leaders encounter when launching a PBL initiative: lack of clarity, competence, and capacity.1). Lack of ClarityOne of the common challenges in implementing PBL is the need for more clarity surrounding how the methodology aligns with the school's existing initiatives, curriculum, and overall culture. This lack of coherence can lead to a feeling of overwhelm, with numerous initiatives competing for attention, making it challenging to execute a strategic plan for project-based learning effectively.2). Lack of CompetenceAnother roadblock is teachers receiving inadequate professional development to become proficient project-based educators. For PBL to thrive, teachers need proper training, coaching, mentoring, and access to resources to develop the necessary skills and confidence to facilitate PBL experiences for their students.3). Lack of CapacityEven if a PBL initiative launch is successful, sustaining it over the long term requires a robust support system, structured resources, and routines. The journey of building a sustainable, high-impact, project-based learning culture is both challenging and rewarding. Acknowledging the potential roadblocks and taking proactive steps to overcome these obstacles can provide students with transformative learning experiences and prepare them for the future.In this episode, I highlight three critical phases for achieving this goal: gaining clarity, boosting competence, and building capacity.Stay tuned for the next episode, where we will explore strategies for gaining clarity by creating a vision to support the growth of a project-based culture.Now what?Support the show Thank you for listening! If you find this podcast useful and would like to support the show, please rate, review, and follow using your favorite podcasting app. Sharing is caring. When you leave a review, you are helping fellow educators find this podcast, enabling them to design impactful project-based learning experiences for their students.

Om Podcasten

Hi, I’m Dr. Candice Wilson-McCain, the founder of Impactful Projects, an education organization that provides curriculum, coaching, courses, and a community of practice for project-based educators. Through our core program, the Impactful PBL™ Network, we help teachers transition students from being passive learners in their classrooms to being change-makers in their schools and communities through real-world project-based learning experiences. This podcast provides proven strategies and invaluable tips for building a sustainable project-based learning culture at your school without overwhelming instructional leaders, teachers, and students. If you are an educator who desires to move from theory to practice with project-based learning, follow the podcast to receive notification of new episodes. Let's talk PBL!