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Hacking Project Based Learning: 10 Easy Steps to PBL and Inquiry in the Classroom
It's time to say Yes to PBL Project Based Learning can be messy, complicated, and downright scary. When done right, though, PBL and Inquiry are challenging, inspiring and fun for students. Best of all, when project-based learning is done right, it actually makes the teacher's job easier. Now, you can demystify project-based learning As questions and mysteries around PBL and inquiry continue to swirl, experienced classroom teachers and school administrators Ross Cooper and Erin Murphy have written a book that will empower those intimidated by PBL to cry, “I can do this!” while at the same time providing added value for those who are already familiar with the process. Hacking Project Based Learning demystifies what PBL is all about with 10 hacks that construct a simple path that educators and students can easily follow to achieve success. Hacking Project Based Learning provides a simple blueprint for PBL that helps Experts rave about Hacking Project Based Learning "HACKING PROJECT BASED LEARNING is a classroom essential. Its ten simple “hacks” will guide you through the process of setting up a learning environment in which students will thrive from start to finish." - Daniel H. Pink , New York Times Bestselling author of DRIVE "Ross Cooper and Erin Murphy have researched PBL from every angle and offer practical steps to make the PBL experience highly beneficial to students because they are practitioners who use it. This book is a very important “How-to” for every teacher and leader who is interested in PBL. -Peter DeWitt , author/consultant, Finding Common Ground blog (Education Week) "The challenge for educators with project and inquiry based learning is finding the time and having the knowledge to implement effectively. Cooper and Murphy provide a much-needed resource that addresses both of these pain points in a concise, clear manner. -Eric Sheninger , Senior Fellow, International Center for Leadership in Education
Are you ready for an amazing productive struggle in your classroom? Start Hacking Project Based Learning today.
Are you ready for an amazing productive struggle in your classroom? Start Hacking Project Based Learning today.
160 pages, Paperback
Published December 19, 2016
172 people are currently reading
281 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 2, 2023
Had to read this for a class — interesting concept!
August 2, 2023
Good stuff. Worth checking out.
May 30, 2017
I first experienced Cooper and Murphy at an education conference; their work on PBL is the sole reason I attended that conference. When I got home, I purchased this book.
$20 well spent.
They go through 10 steps on how to implement PBL in a classroom. My only issue is that, since they're elementary teachers who don't have multiple classrooms, I can't relate to everything. There are some teachers in my school who are in 4 or 5 different classrooms in different buildings throughout the duration of the school year. So not everything works.
What is great is that they GET that. They understand the variety of situations teachers can find themselves in. So they offer tips and tricks, alternatives, and very general ways that are easily modifiable for all types of classes/lessons/students. The book is written simplistically, but not in a way that is demeaning. Instead, it's quite clear as to what their goal is - ease any apprehension teachers may have with regards to PBL, and informing that PBL doesn't even have to be crazy!
The first three chapters/hacks describe how it may be best to set up a foundation for a PBL.
Each hack section has "Blueprints" to follow to best carry out the hack, "Overcoming Pushback" to detract naysayers, and a "Hack in Action" example.
Some of the questions/comments in "Overcoming Pushback" are ridiculous. What is worse, I'm not fully surprised by some of them.
Hack 1: Space Promoting Risk-Taking:
- How can we make fewer things teacher-selected content?
- We HAVE to allow students to struggle. We can't show a solution outright; struggle is a part of learning.
- Ask students what classroom design would best inspire and motivate them. Let THEM create posters (leave the room bare from the start) and other content that connects the math to the world.
- Discuss how elements in organizations connect to classroom learning.
- Pose a variety of questions at the start of the year to model what good questions actually are.
- Have students identify where they went wrong.
Hack 2: Teach Collaboration Skills:
- Collaboration =/= divide and conquer. It's working WITH someone else, for a PURPOSE. This includes developing a solution to a problem as a group.
- We need to preassess where students are with collaboration, curate those skills (even if it's showing a YouTube video of collaboration), and model collaboration with each other. We can even have students roleplay collaborative conversations, like with a script, including with a disagreement and good questions to gather information. Then the STUDENTS can create a class set of expecations for learning.
- Include personal reflections and action plans.
Hack 3: PBL-Worthy Content:
- high Impact Content guides PBL and helps focus on specific outcomes. It's best if these outcomes are written out as clear statements to guide learning.
- If content has high value, is needed for future studies, and has language that allows for deep understanding, then that material/standard can likely be used for a PBL unit.
- I LOVE that in the wrap-up at the end of the chapter, Cooper and Murphy articulate that while PBL units are nice for specific projects, students DO have to know how to apply that knowledge to another object/project/etc. (I had a professor who always spoke poorly about the IMP program for tat reason - students didn't know how to transfer knowledge to other situations).
Hack 4: Create a Vision:
- The authors break down the differences between PBL and traditional projects
- WE the teachers need to make OUR OWN connections between our content and the world!
- PBLs have high impact takeaways, incorporate interdisciplinary content and are based on a certain "track". Before we implement one, we need to develop questions and receive professional/critical feedback, determine one place for materials, and then launch the project (initially without directions) while allowing time for inquiry.
Hack 5: Wrap the Learning in Inquiry:
- This was one of my favorite chapters/sections. In it, Cooper and Murphy explain how to transfer high impact takeaways into umbrella questions - which students can even create when they're more familiar with the PBL process. Umbrella questions aren't leading questions that are found in textbooks, which can be answered in one or two lessons. They're contextual and very open.
- I like the "less is more" approach with questions, where multiple concepts/traditional questions are addressed in one open-ended question.
- Teachers need to prepare students for control, direction, and question development. The umbrella question should be EVERYWHERE during the duration of a PBL.
- I love the idea that a PBL is like a graphic organizer with the umbrella question at the center.
Hack 6: Shift the Ownership of Assessment:
- The Progress Assessment Tool template that is included is very helpful, as is the given example.
- We have to determine learning targets (to put in the PAT), collect exemplars of work to be done, then let students analyze them to develop group-determined strengths for each learning target. Then the teacher has to make sure those strengths are adequate before letting students move on.
- This section also provides guidance on how to help students create assessments and/or grading guidelines, as well as self- and peer-assessments.
Hack 7: Make Feedback Everyone's Business:
- This one hit close to home, since I'm constantly having to remind myself to give good feedback. We can't solely react to finished products; quality feedback occurs throughout a project so it can be immediately applied.
- I really like the idea of a poster/cheat sheet that exemplifies what quality feedback looks like for the students.
- Give feedback without grades!! This is one thing I took from the conference; it's definitely something I'll take from the book.
Hack 8: Right to a Mini-Lesson:
- Integrate direct instruction as necessary.
- The authors compare teaching to video games: give directions and information as you progress through a unit.
- There are great ideas for mini-lessons, even in a non-PBL unit. I like the different strategies offered (hands-on experiments, think alouds, video clips, non-fiction reading), provided they relate to the current content.
Hack 9: Guarantee Understanding:
- This section is a great reminder that one project grade can be broken down into grades for each learning target.
- Summative assessments are very good for individual understanding of a group project.
- Cooper and Murphy still say to place more emphasis on formative feedback...and LESS emphasis as '"grades as a weapon" to force students into learning.'
- I love the reiteration of creating units with high impact targets in mind, and not the test. The simplistic explanation makes standards-based units and assessments more understandable for me - whether or not I integrate PBL in a given unit.
- I also like how they placate those with the "overcoming pushback" section. Creating assessments ahead of time IS 100% OKAY!! It doesn't detract from learning!
Hack 10: Finsh Project in Style:
- There is great information on how to prevent an abrupt end to projects, simply because they're ending, and allow for reflection. Cooper and Murphy provide ways to create conditions for reflection.
- One good takeaway is the note that we need to plan for formal reflection, especially under the context of formative and sumamtive assessment.
$20 well spent.
They go through 10 steps on how to implement PBL in a classroom. My only issue is that, since they're elementary teachers who don't have multiple classrooms, I can't relate to everything. There are some teachers in my school who are in 4 or 5 different classrooms in different buildings throughout the duration of the school year. So not everything works.
What is great is that they GET that. They understand the variety of situations teachers can find themselves in. So they offer tips and tricks, alternatives, and very general ways that are easily modifiable for all types of classes/lessons/students. The book is written simplistically, but not in a way that is demeaning. Instead, it's quite clear as to what their goal is - ease any apprehension teachers may have with regards to PBL, and informing that PBL doesn't even have to be crazy!
The first three chapters/hacks describe how it may be best to set up a foundation for a PBL.
Each hack section has "Blueprints" to follow to best carry out the hack, "Overcoming Pushback" to detract naysayers, and a "Hack in Action" example.
Some of the questions/comments in "Overcoming Pushback" are ridiculous. What is worse, I'm not fully surprised by some of them.
Hack 1: Space Promoting Risk-Taking:
- How can we make fewer things teacher-selected content?
- We HAVE to allow students to struggle. We can't show a solution outright; struggle is a part of learning.
- Ask students what classroom design would best inspire and motivate them. Let THEM create posters (leave the room bare from the start) and other content that connects the math to the world.
- Discuss how elements in organizations connect to classroom learning.
- Pose a variety of questions at the start of the year to model what good questions actually are.
- Have students identify where they went wrong.
Hack 2: Teach Collaboration Skills:
- Collaboration =/= divide and conquer. It's working WITH someone else, for a PURPOSE. This includes developing a solution to a problem as a group.
- We need to preassess where students are with collaboration, curate those skills (even if it's showing a YouTube video of collaboration), and model collaboration with each other. We can even have students roleplay collaborative conversations, like with a script, including with a disagreement and good questions to gather information. Then the STUDENTS can create a class set of expecations for learning.
- Include personal reflections and action plans.
Hack 3: PBL-Worthy Content:
- high Impact Content guides PBL and helps focus on specific outcomes. It's best if these outcomes are written out as clear statements to guide learning.
- If content has high value, is needed for future studies, and has language that allows for deep understanding, then that material/standard can likely be used for a PBL unit.
- I LOVE that in the wrap-up at the end of the chapter, Cooper and Murphy articulate that while PBL units are nice for specific projects, students DO have to know how to apply that knowledge to another object/project/etc. (I had a professor who always spoke poorly about the IMP program for tat reason - students didn't know how to transfer knowledge to other situations).
Hack 4: Create a Vision:
- The authors break down the differences between PBL and traditional projects
- WE the teachers need to make OUR OWN connections between our content and the world!
- PBLs have high impact takeaways, incorporate interdisciplinary content and are based on a certain "track". Before we implement one, we need to develop questions and receive professional/critical feedback, determine one place for materials, and then launch the project (initially without directions) while allowing time for inquiry.
Hack 5: Wrap the Learning in Inquiry:
- This was one of my favorite chapters/sections. In it, Cooper and Murphy explain how to transfer high impact takeaways into umbrella questions - which students can even create when they're more familiar with the PBL process. Umbrella questions aren't leading questions that are found in textbooks, which can be answered in one or two lessons. They're contextual and very open.
- I like the "less is more" approach with questions, where multiple concepts/traditional questions are addressed in one open-ended question.
- Teachers need to prepare students for control, direction, and question development. The umbrella question should be EVERYWHERE during the duration of a PBL.
- I love the idea that a PBL is like a graphic organizer with the umbrella question at the center.
Hack 6: Shift the Ownership of Assessment:
- The Progress Assessment Tool template that is included is very helpful, as is the given example.
- We have to determine learning targets (to put in the PAT), collect exemplars of work to be done, then let students analyze them to develop group-determined strengths for each learning target. Then the teacher has to make sure those strengths are adequate before letting students move on.
- This section also provides guidance on how to help students create assessments and/or grading guidelines, as well as self- and peer-assessments.
Hack 7: Make Feedback Everyone's Business:
- This one hit close to home, since I'm constantly having to remind myself to give good feedback. We can't solely react to finished products; quality feedback occurs throughout a project so it can be immediately applied.
- I really like the idea of a poster/cheat sheet that exemplifies what quality feedback looks like for the students.
- Give feedback without grades!! This is one thing I took from the conference; it's definitely something I'll take from the book.
Hack 8: Right to a Mini-Lesson:
- Integrate direct instruction as necessary.
- The authors compare teaching to video games: give directions and information as you progress through a unit.
- There are great ideas for mini-lessons, even in a non-PBL unit. I like the different strategies offered (hands-on experiments, think alouds, video clips, non-fiction reading), provided they relate to the current content.
Hack 9: Guarantee Understanding:
- This section is a great reminder that one project grade can be broken down into grades for each learning target.
- Summative assessments are very good for individual understanding of a group project.
- Cooper and Murphy still say to place more emphasis on formative feedback...and LESS emphasis as '"grades as a weapon" to force students into learning.'
- I love the reiteration of creating units with high impact targets in mind, and not the test. The simplistic explanation makes standards-based units and assessments more understandable for me - whether or not I integrate PBL in a given unit.
- I also like how they placate those with the "overcoming pushback" section. Creating assessments ahead of time IS 100% OKAY!! It doesn't detract from learning!
Hack 10: Finsh Project in Style:
- There is great information on how to prevent an abrupt end to projects, simply because they're ending, and allow for reflection. Cooper and Murphy provide ways to create conditions for reflection.
- One good takeaway is the note that we need to plan for formal reflection, especially under the context of formative and sumamtive assessment.
June 25, 2017
In their book, Hacking Project Based Learning, Ross Cooper and Erin Murphy discuss how to over come challenges that PBL may possibly pose for teachers and students. One of the scariest things about implementing a project based learning approach with your learners is letting go; letting students take ownership of their learning. Even the most creative teachers, who have taken the leap into the PBL waters, continue to find it difficult to let go of their role as teacher, despite having the best intentions for their learners. Cooper and Murphy discuss the importance of how to create a vision for a project, and setting the stage for an authentic learning experience. PBL provides an opportunity to help our learners make authentic real world connections.
Instruction and learning is different in problem based settings than traditional instruction. Problem based learning provides challenges for evaluation and assessment. Hacking PBL provides a plethora of ideas such as a Progress Assessment Tool and how to evaluate group and individual work. Each year my learners reflect on their PBL project and each year my students' reflection provides
I have been a huge proponent of Project Based Learning both in my traditional brick and mortar classroom, and the modern cyber classroom, I teach in now. Although they look very different in each environment, my PBL units continue to emphasize solving highly complex, real world problems. PBL requires that students have both fundamental skills (reading, writing, and math) and 21st century skills (teamwork, problem solving, and research). With this combination of skills, students become directors and managers of their learning process. The old school model of learning facts, and then reciting them out of context is no longer sufficient to prepare learners to perform in today's world. If you're thinking of implementing PBL into your classroom, do it! Project Based Learning provides a rich learning experience, one that your learners will eagerly devour. Oh, and do yourself a favor, read Hacking Project Based Learning. It is a critical, and necessary component to a successful PBL launch.
Instruction and learning is different in problem based settings than traditional instruction. Problem based learning provides challenges for evaluation and assessment. Hacking PBL provides a plethora of ideas such as a Progress Assessment Tool and how to evaluate group and individual work. Each year my learners reflect on their PBL project and each year my students' reflection provides
I have been a huge proponent of Project Based Learning both in my traditional brick and mortar classroom, and the modern cyber classroom, I teach in now. Although they look very different in each environment, my PBL units continue to emphasize solving highly complex, real world problems. PBL requires that students have both fundamental skills (reading, writing, and math) and 21st century skills (teamwork, problem solving, and research). With this combination of skills, students become directors and managers of their learning process. The old school model of learning facts, and then reciting them out of context is no longer sufficient to prepare learners to perform in today's world. If you're thinking of implementing PBL into your classroom, do it! Project Based Learning provides a rich learning experience, one that your learners will eagerly devour. Oh, and do yourself a favor, read Hacking Project Based Learning. It is a critical, and necessary component to a successful PBL launch.
July 27, 2020
I’m unimpressed. There were several points where I agreed with the authors, but there were many more where they needed better editing or seemed completely unrealistic. There is exactly one English example: an argumentative writing unit. No student is going to master argumentative writing in one unit, one project, or even one year. The authors seemed inconsistent about whether or not the product at the end of the PBL experience is an assessment or not. They even end the book by saying that reflection shouldn’t just happen at the end—how self-contradictory is that? PBL definitely makes the old-school end-of-unit project into something better integrated and more fun, but PBL is not the panacea that so many educators seem to be making it.
December 26, 2023
I find this book insightful and offers actionable guidance drawn from real-world experiences. At iMaWorld.com, we're cultivating a worldwide community dedicated to project-based learning, enhanced with collaborative features and engaging gamification. Should you seek to apply the book's methodologies and steps using collaborative tools, or wish to broaden your students' horizons by connecting with peers worldwide via their projects, please come join our community platform. Together, we can make PBL a fun, enriching, and indispensable experience for students.
July 12, 2018
One of the best education books I have read!
Practical with lots of points to think about but done in a way that it could be immediately implemented in your classroom. It is a good fit with IQWST and I think it will allow me to take that curriculum and make it more authentic.
My brining is just buzzing with thoughts and connections... I need to go back and re-read it with a highlighter and notebook!
Practical with lots of points to think about but done in a way that it could be immediately implemented in your classroom. It is a good fit with IQWST and I think it will allow me to take that curriculum and make it more authentic.
My brining is just buzzing with thoughts and connections... I need to go back and re-read it with a highlighter and notebook!
January 25, 2017
Quick read about using project-based learning in your classroom. Great for school book study! I would recommend this book for all teachers; easiest to implement for teachers of upper-elementary grades and beyond because of the examples provided in the text. However, I teach Kindergarten and am excited to use the developmentally appropriate components with my students!
June 22, 2018
As a reflective educator, I'm always trying to find ways to increase my proficiency in the many ways of presenting material to students. This book chalked up to be a handy resource for learning about Project Based Learning, and at under 200 pages, an easy one to reference during the journey of PBL. Worth the time and money!
February 17, 2022
Book had some great ideas but I would have liked more. It seemed to be edited way down to just lists and checklists but did not give many examples. One or two examples were used throughout the whole book. I would like more examples from more content areas. I would also like things like the PAC filled out by actual students so I could see what they can do.
March 7, 2022
hack away
I loved that this book focused on project based learning. At my school we do what is called Clusters and PBL is what we are wanting to achieve. I think the concept is wonderful and it helps students retain the information they are learning. As the old proverb says give me a fish I eat for a day, teach me to fish and I’m rich in food.
I loved that this book focused on project based learning. At my school we do what is called Clusters and PBL is what we are wanting to achieve. I think the concept is wonderful and it helps students retain the information they are learning. As the old proverb says give me a fish I eat for a day, teach me to fish and I’m rich in food.
January 20, 2025
My mentor teacher lent this to me and wow it was so informational and opened by eyes to the student-centered learning practices essential to project based learning and productive ways to engage learners in the classroom! So looking forward to implementing these and learning more about PBL this semester
Read
June 8, 2019This is one of the practical handbooks to start up PBL in the classroom. The author introduces to us some new terms eg 'umbrella question', 'high impact content', 'high impact takeaways' that is crucial in the process of curriculum design, providing a clear framework for teachers to follow.
July 4, 2020
I am making my way through the Hacking series, and I am finding so much good stuff in each and every one of them. This one was particularly good (although the first two chapters had me wondering). I would highly recommend this book and this series to veteran and new teachers alike.
March 10, 2021
This is a great book to read if you want to get started with PBLs in the classroom. When I first started learning about project based learning is was so overwhelming, and this book breaks it down into ten steps and even breaks those steps down into action plans. Game changer!
March 12, 2021
This is a great first book to get you into the world of Project Based Learning. It isn't in-depth enough to be the only book that you read on PBL, but it definitely serves its purpose by providing clear examples and actionable tips.
June 23, 2021
This book is great for those just starting to adapt Project Based Learning, workshop model teaching or personalize learning. It's an easy read with practical strategies, but I can't say I learned anything new from it. A good beginners guide.
September 30, 2024
great ideas for implementation of PBL
This book provides a base for planning and implementing PBL in any class. The ideas shared give you a step-by-step guide to planning and steps to take in your classroom tomorrow.
This book provides a base for planning and implementing PBL in any class. The ideas shared give you a step-by-step guide to planning and steps to take in your classroom tomorrow.
April 8, 2025
This book is a really good start to put PBL in practice in your class. I have learned and answered a great deal of questions and feel confident I have enough information to attempt trying it in my own classroom.
May 27, 2017
Good practical ideas for implementing PBL in a classroom, plus the argument answers you may get.
July 8, 2017
Great information about PBL! Found as I read it that I've seen it happen in my own and others practice often and just never realized it. A helpful tool!
July 20, 2017
Practical, to the point and helpful. I wanted to improve the PBL units I currently teach and this book gave just the nudges and reminders and tips I needed.
March 16, 2019
Some good tips, but lacked differentiated examples for high school. If you teach elementary great read for you!
July 5, 2020
A great starter book for anyone new to incorporating project based learning into their classroom setting. An easy read with practical tips. I have shared this book with many educators.
July 7, 2020
Excellent strategies we can use immediately!
October 1, 2020
Great resource! Changed my first unit due to this book!
September 3, 2021
The book helped some in sorting out PBL's, but to be honest, I'm still confused about how to do a PBL with my students.
September 2, 2022
Great resource that I’ll be referring to and using this year. Helps me to generate ideas for my classes.
November 16, 2022
Easy-to-read and concise. Great for a busy educators’ book club.
February 17, 2023
Standard PBL. Hack is a little over used here.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews