PROJECT-BASED LEARNING MATTERS: Adria Steinberg’s 6 A’s!

Project-based Learning provides us with the opportunity to connect with young people's interests and passions in a way that is authentic, academic, rigorous, applied and active.

Adria Steinberg's 6 A's provide a helpful checklist for anyone starting out with project-based learning.
"Authenticity
Projects should:

• Use a real world context 
• Emanate from a problem that has meaning to students 
• Result in a product or performance that has personal and/or social value 

Academic Rigour
Projects should:

• Address key learning standards 
• Pose essential question(s) of relevance to the student 
• Span multiple disciplines and subject areas 
• Develop habits of mind and work associated with academic and professional disciplines 

Applied Learning
Projects should:

• Engage students in solving semi-structured problems 
• Call for competencies expected in high-performance organisations and the world of work
• Require students to develop organisational and self-management skills. 

Active Exploration
Projects should:

• Extend beyond the classroom 
• Connect to field-based investigations, community explorations, and work internships 
• Require real investigations using a variety of methods, media, and sources. 

Adult Relationships
Projects should:

• Connect students with adult mentors and coaches from the wider community 
• Expose students to adults with relevant expertise 
• Engage adults in the design and assessment of student projects 

Assessment
Projects should:

• Provide milestones/checkpoints 
• Involve lots of reflection for students and teachers 
• Result in exhibitions and performances 
• Be grounded in personal, school, and real-world standards of performance."

If you want to find out more about this approach visit the High Tech High website atwww.hightechhigh.org/.
Chris