Does Project-Based Learning Really Work?
Every so often, I am asked the question: ‘Does Project-Based Learning (PBL) really work?’ It’s a fair question. For many of us, school looked very different: textbooks, worksheets, tests and the hope of remembering enough facts to pass. Sadly, there are many schools that still offer a traditional learning platform for students. At Living Faith, we have chosen a different path - one that is not only grounded in contemporary educational research but is also building character, culture and confidence in our students.
Sir Ken Robinson once said, ‘The fact is, that given the challenges we face, education doesn’t need to be reformed - it needs to be transformed.’ PBL is one way that transformation is happening at Living Faith. PBL works because it elevates learning beyond the acquisition of knowledge. It allows students to:
- ask deep questions,
- explore authentic problems, and
- create meaningful solutions.
In doing so, students are not only learning the curriculum but also learning how to learn.
Neuroscience research tells us that our brains are wired for curiosity and connection, hence our school values of Be Curious and Better Together. When students are engaged in purposeful, hands-on projects, their brains are more active, their retention of knowledge is deeper and their motivation grows. As John Hattie’s research highlights, student engagement is a critical driver of achievement - and PBL provides the perfect environment for engagement to flourish.
But the benefits of PBL go beyond academics. It builds character and culture. When students work together on projects, they learn to collaborate, to fail forward (another school value; Fail Forward) and to persevere. They develop empathy, creativity and resilience. As Tony Wagner, global education leader, reminds us: ‘The world doesn’t care what you know. What the world cares about is what you can do with what you know.’ At Living Faith, our students are practising this every day.
Our key drivers - student agency, neuroscience and student engagement - all converge in PBL. Students take ownership of their learning (agency), they learn in ways that align with how the brain best learns (neuroscience) and they are deeply absorbed in meaningful work (engagement). The result? Young people who are confident, compassionate and capable of making a difference in their world.
So, does PBL work? Absolutely! It works in the way our students’ eyes light up when they share their projects. It works in the resilience they show when things don’t go to plan. It works in the way they see themselves as learners, leaders and contributors. At Living Faith, PBL is not just an approach to teaching - it’s a culture that is shaping extraordinary young people.
Peace,
Andrew Kelly
Principal