Research Library
The BIE research library provides access to PBL-related studies and summaries of research that has been conducted. The section on practices focuses on differences in use of PBL including practices, tools and professional development designed to improve teaching and learning. Another section focuses on outcomes of PBL use, ranging from improved attitudes to standardized test scores. In addition, we provide access to syntheses that are summaries of research conducted across multiple sites or multiple studies.
Standardized Test Outcomes: Inquiry-Based Science
Findings demonstrate that a standards-based, inquiry science curriculum can lead to standardized achievement test gains in historically underserved urban students,… more...
Research on Professional Development
BIE has collected research on effective professional development as way to inform our work with others. The following articles represent… more...
Meta-Analyses of PBL Outcomes
One type of PBL Outcomes research involves combining the results of many studies into one meta-analysis. The following articles from… more...
Powerful Learning: Studies Show Deep Understanding Derives from Collaborative Methods
A review of research on the most effective K-12 teaching practices from two of the coauthors of Powerful Learning: What… more...
Challenge Based Learning (from the Apple Learning Interchange)
The research report from the New Media Consortium is available as a PDF file. This study asked teachers and students… more...
Pervasive management of project based learning
This chapter in the Handbook for Classroom Management discusses how to plan projects and guide students effectively through the project… more...
Experimental Study of BIE Project Based Economics Units
A study, conducted by WestEd's Regional Educational Laboratory West (REL West), addresses the following key research questions: Does PBE increase… more...
Effectiveness of Problem-Based Instruction: A Comparative Study of Instruction and Students
This study examined the potential differences between Problem Based Learning (PBL) and traditional instructional approaches in building high school students'… more...
Korean study: Comparing Problem-based Learning with Traditional Instruction: High School Economics
Professors of Social Studies Education at Seoul National University, Korea, translated President's Dilemma from BIE's Project Based Economics curriculum into… more...
Problem Based Learning in College Economics
This article assesses the impact of problem-based learning (PBL) in four sections of microeconomics course in a large, urban, public… more...
Cool Tools
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PBL Starter Kit ($24)
The PBL Starter Kit contains BIE's latest guidance for planning & managing projects with planning forms, rubrics, handouts, 6 example projects, and practical advice for successfully running your first project.
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PBL Handbook ($35)
The PBL Handbook gives an overview of PBL, explains how to design and manage successful projects, provides sample rubrics, forms and handouts, and describes five example projects.
