From Projects to Project-Based Learning: Transforming Student Engagement

In today’s classrooms, educators are increasingly seeking ways to deepen student engagement, promote agency, and ensure meaningful learning experiences. While “project” is a term often used interchangeably across education, there’s a clear distinction between a traditional class project, a choice board activity, and a project-based learning experience (PBL). In this post, we’ll break down these differences using a relatable classroom example: a garden.

The Class Project: Structured Creativity

A class project is typically a teacher-designed activity with a clear outcome and predetermined steps. These projects offer students a chance to demonstrate their understanding, often at the end of a unit or lesson.

Example: The teacher assigns the entire class to design a school garden. Students may follow the same template, research plants, sketch layouts, and present their designs.

Key Characteristics:

• Teacher-directed
• Defined goals and deadlines
  
• Limited student voice or variation
  
• Often used for assessment

Pros:

• Structured and predictable
  
• Good for practicing collaboration
  
• Allows for creativity within boundaries

Limitations:

• Minimal student choice
• Often lacks real-world context or extended inquiry

Reference:
Larmer, J., & Mergendoller, J. R. (2010). Seven Essentials for Project-Based Learning. Edutopia.

The Choice Board: Empowering Student Voice

Choice boards are tools that allow students to choose how they engage with content. This differentiation strategy encourages autonomy while maintaining alignment to learning objectives.
​Example:
Students are given a menu of activities related to a community garden. Some may create a brochure, others might research soil types, and a few might design signs or plan watering schedules.
Key Characteristics:

• Student-selected tasks
• Differentiated options by learning styles or interests
• Tasks may vary in format but connect to the same core standard

Pros:

• Boosts motivation through choice
• Allows for personalized learning
• Encourages ownership of work

Limitations:

• Less collaborative than PBL
• Tasks may be disconnected without a unifying problem or goal​

Click Here to Grab this Choice Board

Project-Based Learning: Purpose-Driven Inquiry

Project-Based Learning is a comprehensive instructional approach where students investigate and respond to a complex question, problem, or challenge. It goes beyond simply doing a project; it’s grounded in inquiry, student voice, and real-world relevance.

Example: The teacher introduces a tropical plant as a “hook” and asks students: “How can we design a garden that supports both native and tropical plants in our local environment?” Students work in teams to research, interview gardeners, draft proposals, and present actionable plans to a community partner.
Key Characteristics:

• Centered around a driving question
• Student-led inquiry and investigation
• Real-world connections and public audience
• Reflective and iterative process

Pros:

• Deep, authentic learning
• Enhances collaboration and critical thinking
• Promotes student agency and real-world impact

Limitations:

• Requires time and thoughtful planning
• Needs teacher facilitation and scaffolding
• Assessment must be ongoing and multifaceted

Reference:
Buck Institute for Education (now PBLWorks). (2021). Gold Standard PBL: Essential Project Design Elements. https://www.pblworks.org/

Click here for the PBL Checklist that was created by:  Maria Salomon

Click here for the PBL planner from Canva

Conclusion: Know the Difference to Know the Impact

While all three strategies—projects, choice boards, and PBL—can add variety and engagement to your classroom, the depth of learning and student empowerment increases dramatically as you move from teacher-directed projects to student-centered, inquiry-based PBL. By understanding these distinctions, you can more intentionally design classroom experiences that spark curiosity, ignite agency, and foster a love of learning.

Ready to transform your classroom with PBL? Start with a simple hook, connect it to a real-world challenge, and let students lead the way.

​Want to Learn More?
Explore free resources and professional learning opportunities at blendedlearningpd.com.  Choose for Student Engagement Workshops, AI Workshops, and Data-Driven Small Groups Made Easy