Gold Standard PBL

Gold Standard PBL is the name given to the comprehensive, research-informed model for PBL developed by the Blake Institute to help teachers and schools improve, calibrate, and assess their practice.

A Challenging Problem or Question

The project is framed by a meaningful problem to be solved or a question to answer, at the appropriate level of challenge


Sustained Inquiry

Students engage in a rigorous, extended process of posing questions, finding resources, and applying information.



Authenticity

The project involves real-world context, tasks and tools, quality standards, or impact, or the project speaks to personal concerns, interests, and issues in the students’ lives.


Student Voice & Choice

Students make some decisions about the project, including how they work and what they create, and express their own ideas in their own voice.


Reflection

Students and teachers reflect on the learning, the effectiveness of their inquiry and project activities, the quality of student work, and obstacles that arise and strategies for overcoming them.


Critique & Revision

Students give, receive, and apply feedback to improve their process and products.


Public Product

Students make their project work public by sharing it with and explaining or presenting it to people beyond the classroom.