Designing Project-Based Instruction and Blended Learning

12 weeks | 30 CPE credits | 6 hours GT eligible

Asynchronous with opportunities for virtual collaboration

$1,000 per participant*

New cohorts begin monthly.

This course offers participants an exploration of the methodology and benefits of using project-based instruction to provide authentic and challenging experiences for students, with an emphasis on blended learning strategies.

Prerequisite: Completion of the Foundations of Blended Learning course.

*Course fees qualify for reimbursement by the Texas Education Agency upon completion.

Module 1 The What and Why of PBI (7 hours)

In the first module, you will explore PBI, investigate the elements that define high-quality PBI units, and take a more detailed look at how students benefit from this instructional model in a blended setting. We begin by identifying prior knowledge, our goals for the course, and initial questions. Throughout Module 1, we will explore what makes PBI different from other instructional strategies and consider how it adds to the blended classroom to foster student growth.

Module 2 Begin With the End in Mind (8 hours)

In this module, we will explore the Understanding by Design (UBD) framework and backward design approach. The UBD instructional strategy focuses on determining the knowledge and skills you want students to develop and planning learning activities to help students meet those targets. PBI establishes the process to achieve these goals. Together, UBD and PBI promote content connections and skills through real-world application and problem-solving. In Module 2, we will explore UBD and use the strategy to help us determine our learning destination, thereby creating the framework — and ultimately our driving question — for our PBI unit.

Module 3 The PBI Project Roadmap (8 hours, GT credit eligible)

In Module 3, you will create a "roadmap" for your PBI unit to organize the activities needed to ensure that it incorporates the principles of Gold-Standard PBI project design. We will also work through the logistics of each stage — from the launch event to the final project presentations — ensuring we maximize student growth throughout the experience.

Module 4 Moving From Idea to Action (7 hours)

Now that you have completed your project sequence, it is time to reflect and refine. In this final module, you will engage in self-assessment and peer review of your project, reflect and make revisions based on this feedback, and consider how best to get ready to implement your project with students. By the end of Module 4, you will with have created your Module 4 Companion Guide and PBI Lesson Planning Guide.