Project-based learning (PBL) is not just an educational conference buzzword; it's a unique approach to learning that provides students with the opportunity to gain experience in sifting and sorting data, working collaboratively, and using critical-thinking skills, all to solve real-world problems.

PBL helps make learning relevant and useful to students by establishing connections to life outside the classroom, addressing larger concerns, and developing usable skills. What differentiates PBL from traditional class lessons is that the teacher acts more like a facilitator than like the sage on the stage.

Instead of assigning students a static task such as providing a report on their home state, you might ask them to determine what they believe is the most livable state in the United States. The students must define a problem or topic by using a given set of parameters and areas that they must address in their research.

Through PBL, students pick up many skills that employers seek, including working well with others, making thoughtful decisions, taking initiative, and solving complex problems. You can also encourage students to use the latest technologies and the Microsoft Office System to conduct their research and present their findings.

Use the following resources to create a project-based lesson for your class.

• Get started with project-based learning (Article)
  Learn about using project-based learning in your classroom.
• Project-based learning example exercise (Template)
  Create your own project-based lesson handout by using this template.
• Using OneNote for Web research (Article)
  Learn how you can easily collect and organize information from the Web by using OneNote.
• Student presentation (Template)
  Use this presentation example as a starting point for your next student assignment.
• Project-based learning rubric (Template)
  Use this template to score your students' project-based learning assignment.
• Student peer assessment (Template)
  Give this template to students so they can evaluate their contributions to a group assignment as well as their group's performance.