Rigorous PBL by Design

Three Shifts for Developing Confident and Competent Learners

"An excellent tool for any educator, administrator, or professional development coach who wants to dive deep into designing an effective and rigorous PBL. This book provides excellent details for the reader and step by step instructions on designing as well as implementing a PBL to enhance student cognition."

"If we believe that ALL students will succeed in school today, it will require all of us to let go some of the things that have been most essential to what we know about teaching and learning (our past practice and experience) and how we have let that define our profession. The level of engagement and connection to the world around them is the driver of learning for students today. PBL represents one of our best strategies to connect those essentials with the desired outcome of success for ALL. Our students need the tangible connection of “learning to life experience” as they have an increased access to the rote knowledge that drove education a generation ago. It is critical that educators further enhance the opportunities and experiences of students by enhancing their professional toolbox. PBL is an essential tool for all educators."

"This book has the potential to truly improve PBLs impact on student learning."

"I’ve always advocated and often practiced problem-based learning in classrooms, but recently I’ve come up short with seeing the benefits of PBL that I expected. Rigorous PBL provided new direction and justification for why I need to change my practice. I can’t wait for school to start!"

"This book is very thorough in explaining the differences between PBL done more as a project and done with student self-monitoring and transfer of knowledge.  The teacher’s role at each student’s level (surface, deep and transfer) is explained clearly."

"There are more than enough matrices and examples throughout the book to demonstrate the authors points. I particularly appreciate the extended examples provided via hyperlink. The book offers varied examples of grade levels and content to help teachers create a PBL project based on the author’s recommendations."

"A highly practical and informative guide to project/problem based learning."

"PBL, done well, helps students to develop the skills needed to be successful in a rapidly changing world.  This book offers both a thought provoking and practical guide for educators looking to transform their classrooms through PBL.  McDowell provides critical insights into common PBL pitfalls and identifies key design shifts that can deeply impact student learning.  Novice and experienced PBL teachers alike will find this book helpful in improving their practice and delivering on the promise of PBL."

"Far too many people assume that problem based learning simply works.  It doesn’t.  It works when specific conditions are right.  It works when the experience is designed in a way that build students’ confidence and competence. That is easier said than done, which is why we are so pleased with this book. It guides readers through specific design features that they can use to ensure deep learning, and transfer of that learning, for students.  McDowell has solved the problem and is willing to share is findings with others."

"Hattie’s research showed that PBL has a low effect size. However, Hattie’s intention behind exposing the effect size was not to have teachers throw it out. Rather, he wanted teachers and leaders to use evidence to look at how they do it, and improve on the process. In Rigorous PBL By Design, Michael McDowell does exactly that. McDowell provides a practical, step-by-step process using Hattie’s research to help teachers improve PBL so it provides the effect on student learning that it should."