What is PBL?

PBL is a teaching-learning approach that guides students to learn the concepts of selected disciplines, while using inquiry skills in order to develop research or design products (Blumenfeld, et al., 1991; Thomas, 2000).  This educational approach has been recognized for a long time throughout the world, from elementary schools to universities (Knoll, 1997). Based on an extensive review of the existing literature, the basic criteria for PBL appear to be the following (Thomas, 2000):

Centrality: PBL projects are central, not peripheral to the curriculum;

Driving Question: PBL projects are focused on questions or problems that “drive” students to encounter (and struggle with) the central concepts and principles of a discipline;

Constructive Investigations: The central activities of the project must involve the construction of knowledge on the part of students;

 Autonomy: Projects are student-driven to some significant degree; and

Realism: Projects are realistic or authentic, not school-like.