In the current educational environment, Project-Based Learning (PBL) is increasingly gaining ground, emphasizing active student engagement in the learning process.

At a recent workshop organized by the Erudo association, the second in a series of workshops focused on PBL, we had the opportunity to discuss the main aspects of PBL and its implementation in the school environment. We will also use these insights when designing the boot camps for the ICE Robotics project.

Workshop Structure and Topic Selection
Teachers were divided into groups based on the subjects they teach. Before the workshop, a survey was conducted where they could choose from seven phases of PBL teaching. The greatest interest was in the topic of “scaffolding” – support for students based on the concept of the zone of proximal development.

Support Elements in PBL
Scaffolding in PBL can be divided into several categories:

  • Cognitive Support: Analysis, mind maps, heuristic methods.
  • Linguistic Support: Using precisely formulated statements with open-ended structures.
  • Social Support: Role-playing, peer feedback.
  • Technological Support: Utilizing AI and digital tools.

Technological Tools and Their Availability
One issue raised at the workshop was the availability of technological tools. Many useful platforms (e.g., Kahoot!, Padlet, Miro) are paid and often inaccessible to teachers. (I see an opportunity here to create a project that, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, would provide funding for a shared educational license for some selected tools for schools.)

Strategies for Building Supportive Scaffolding
During the workshop, teachers experimented with various scaffolding methods – from diagnosing student needs and creating worksheets to guiding questions and problem-solving procedures.

Student Motivation in PBL
An important part of every PBL activity is maintaining student motivation and fostering curiosity. Effective methods include:

  • Demonstrating curiosity by the teacher,
  • Allowing students to participate in decision-making,
  • Emphasizing the value of the process rather than just the outcome,
  • Accepting failure as a natural part of learning,
  • Iterative testing and experimentation,
  • Working with hypotheses and modifying procedures.

Managing the Inquiry Process and Other Approaches
The workshop also discussed methods of managing the inquiry process. Using the KWL method (Know-Want to know-Learned), maintaining research journals, and design thinking proved to be effective tools for supporting students in active learning.

The conclusions of the workshop will be actively implemented within the ICE Robotics boot camps. PBL is an effective approach that promotes student independence, creativity, and analytical thinking. For its successful implementation, it is essential to provide teachers with tools and support that enable them to lead project-based teaching effectively.