What is PROJECT BASED-LEARNING (PBL)?

 Someone recently asked me, "What is project-based learning?"

 I took a minute to really think about project-based learning, or PBL, and how I might be able to best explain it. While I am sure that there is a variety of ways of defining PBL, I provided the following response to their inquiry...

 Project-based learning is a constructivist type of education that allows the student to be master and commander in the classroom. The learning environment is located in a virtual world and not confined by physical limitation; a classroom without walls. Students decide what they wish to work on as well as when and where will be most advantageous for them to do the work. Instead of curricula, students address standards. Instead of teachers, students have facilitators of learning. Instead of textbooks, students have computers. Instead of tests, students create projects to show what they have learned. These projects are not only evidence of learning, but also products of student choice and creativity, reflective of the knowledge they have gained while also expressive of their own personal interests. These projects give students an opportunity to truly illustrate their ideas and independence. PBL projects prove to be more accurate measures of achievement and student learning than traditional testing. There's a time and a place for everything, and the traditional education model's time has passed. PBL environments offer new and innovative methods of educating our youth through technology and real world application. There is a focus on student learning; the teacher is a guide on the side and not the sage on the stage. The student is the star of the show; not to mention writer, director, and producer. In school, nothing and no one should detract from student learning, including the teacher. The teacher's job is to facilitate student learning. The teacher should plant the seed of thought and water it appropriately. The teacher should not attempt to force the plant to grow. The teacher risks damaging the plant forever by doing that. The teacher must allow for the personal growth and development of a student, and that derives only from self-motivation, determination, and exploration. Of course, the teacher is still an active participant in the student's learning, providing encouragement, guidance, and facilitation. Students will find their way and learn what they need to if you point them in the right direction.

Project-based learning is the future of education... and the future is now!

 Ok, so I sort of rambled, but that was because of the sheer excitement that I feel whenever I talk about PBL.

Please comment and provide your own definition of project-based learning.