Abstract
Problem-based learning (PBL) is a popular trend in public education. This chapter brings PBL to elementary schools to benefit children’s readiness for a global world. The purpose of this literature review is to introduce an area of educational research that is not sufficiently mapped or investigated – PBL in elementary schools and strategies that help students develop. At present, much of the existing research focuses on grades K–12 in general terms or postsecondary education. Elementary grades, while researched, continue to be underrepresented in explorations of PBL, an educational equity gap this book helps to fill. Questions guiding this review study are, what is PBL, and what PBL instructional strategies contribute to elementary students’ twenty-first-century learning? Specifically, we explore PBL strategies for promoting elementary students’ development in critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, and citizenship (the 5Cs). Additionally, we address PBL in elementary classrooms and other K–12 educational contexts. Definitions provided generally uphold PBL as a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working collaboratively to both investigate and respond to authentic and engaging open-ended questions and/or problems. Also described is the history of PBL and its instructional impact on student learning and achievement. Key strategies of PBL instruction are identified that contribute to twenty-first-century century skills identified nationally and at the state level, which education policy in the Commonwealth of Virginia denotes as the 5Cs. While exploring the PBL phenomenon and the relevant literature, academic achievement, student impact, and patterns are discussed.
This modified, condensed review is derived from Reed, S. S., Mullen, C. A., & Boyles, E. T. (2021). Problem-based learning in elementary school: What strategies help students develop? Springer.
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Reed, S.S., Mullen, C.A., Boyles, E.T. (2021). Bringing Problem-Based Learning to Elementary Schools to Benefit Children’s Readiness for a Global World. In: Mullen, C.A. (eds) Handbook of Social Justice Interventions in Education. Springer International Handbooks of Education. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-29553-0_128-2
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Bringing Problem-Based Learning to Elementary Schools to Benefit Children’s Readiness for a Global World- Published:
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-29553-0_128-2
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Bringing Problem-Based Learning to Elementary Schools to Benefit Children’s Readiness for a Global World- Published:
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-29553-0_128-1