Common Project-Based Learning Challenges and Troubleshooting Tips

I have been a high school experiential educator for over a decade, and my dominant approach has been self-directed project-based learning. Students design and execute their projects from start to finish with my guidance. 

I didn't choose personalized project-based learning when I first started teaching. In fact, I didn't even know what it was. But the school where I taught insisted on it, and for good reason. PBL is a deep and powerful learning tool, especially when self-directed. 

But it's not perfect. That is the reality. 

As with any pedagogy, there will be snags at times, mishaps, challenges, and disappointments, but I try to look at those setbacks as opportunities - for students AND educators. What feels like defeat just may be an opportunity for learning and growth. 

For those of you that are project-based educators or are trying to transition to project-based learning, you have likely come across some pitfalls. I've listed some challenges below that come up the most often in my classroom and ways to overcome them.

Before I get rolling on common PBL challenges, I want to preface that in this blog post I only offer my own experiences.  I highly recommend checking out my Facebook group - Experiential Learning Community for K-12 teachers - where you can throw some challenges you're having out there for feedback, ideas, and tips from other educators.

Common Project-Based Learning Challenges and How to Overcome Them

1. Apathy

The Challenge:
With self-directed PBL, students design projects around their interests. That becomes difficult when students tell you that they don't have any interests. This problem comes up often, and is painful for everyone involved, including the student. Don't take it personally and don't give up! 

Tips:
Everyone has interests. If you have a student saying they don't have any, start digging around for the source of this declaration. A student might have interests but does not have the skills to identify them (yet).  Or maybe they simply aren't comfortable with you yet.

Sit down and talk to them. Learn about them. Relationship-building and the right tools are key. By getting to know each student you can help them figure out the struggle, set personal goals, AND identify their interests and skills for potential projects. 

Resources:

• PBL Topic Brainstorming Activities - The purpose of this FREE topic brainstorming activity is to expose learners to topics they may not yet be aware of.  
• Self-Directed PBL Design Workbook - This workbook helps learners identify interests and guides them effortlessly through the project design process.

2.  Low Productivity

The Challenge:
This is one of the most common problems with anything that is student-directed. You are giving them choice and freedom, which is wonderful in so many ways. Having choice and autonomy is empowering, but students may not know what to do with this freedom, especially if they are new to student-directed PBL. They often, then, choose not to do anything with it. 

Tips:
Students new to PBL may be unproductive because they simply do not know what to do. Student-directed project-based learning is child-led, yes, but it's also structured. Your job is to provide them with the tools to direct the experience. Give them the appropriate templates, implement consistent checkpoints, and provide feedback often.

Another student might have all of the tools and experience, and still be unproductive. Work with students one-on-one to determine the source of low-productivity. Once the source has been identified, tweak expectations and goals.

Resources:

• Self-Directed Project-Based Learning Starter Kit - This bundle contains a personal learning plan, the design workbook, the templates required for the experience itself, student and teacher planners, rubrics, and more. This starter kit irons out EVERY challenge mentioned in this blog post.  ​

• Project-Based Learning Planner Free Sample - I have a specific planner that I use and share with my students so they (and I) know exactly what to do and when.  Check out this free sample.

Free PBL Digital Calendar and Planner

3. Poor Quality Projects 

The Challenge:
Pretty simple. Students produce projects that are well below their capabilities. There are many problems with that and if you recognize it as a pattern in a student or two, nip it in the bud quickly. 

Tips:
I wrote an entire blog post a while ago about how to boost PBL project quality, so I won't get into that too much here. Check out the link for specific tips and tricks. But generally, if students are producing poor quality work, the root of the problem is likely the expectations that have been set. As my post emphasizes, establishing a culture of quality work from the start is critical.

Resources:

• Rubric Bundle - A clear understanding of expectations is essential. This PBL rubric bundle includes a generic rubric for any PBL project and a template for student-generated rubrics to help define a standard of quality.
• Project-Based Learning Outcomes Portfolio - I have my students showcase all of their project-based learning outcomes in one digital portfolio. This helps keep them accountable. Grab my digital project-based learning portfolio right here for free. 

Free Project-Based Learning Outcomes Digital Portfolio

4. Burning Bridges

The Challenge:
Project-based learning is different than a standard project for several reasons, one of which is the use of community experts. Students rely on the community as a critical source of information. Occasionally a student doesn't follow through with a meeting made with a community expert. Regardless of the reason, bridges are burned.

Tips:
The solution? Don't stop trying. It can be frustrating, but guiding meaningful connections between students and community members is part of your job as a facilitator. You can also ask that the student deliver an apology letter and write a personal reflection, depending on the situation. Help the student empathize. 

Resources:

• Community Expert Planner - This FREE resource helps students identify and connect with quality community experts on their own. It is a simple tool to organize community relationships.

5. Shortage of Willing Community Participants

The Challenge:
Cooperation between students and community members is not always seamless and is not entirely on the shoulders of the students. Occasionally, students or myself will get rejected by a community expert when asked to get involved in a student's project. One of my favorite local artists flat out said "I don't work with teenagers."

Tips:
All you can really do is move on. You might also consider pushing a little harder by tactfully helping them see what the student will bring to the table. Organize collaborations with community members that are mutually beneficial.

Resources:

• Collaboration Blog Post - This post guides you through this frustrating challenge. Sometimes community members need convincing, and that's okay. Have an arsenal of go-to persuasive statements from this blog post.
• Community PBL Bundle - The projects in this bundle are dependent on community relationships. Help learners practice these skills with community-specific projects. 

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6. Incomplete Projects

The Challenge:
Projects fizzle out. Students start a project, work diligently on it for all of one day, and never return to it again. Pretty straight-forward.  

Tips:
You may have noticed a theme throughout this post; student-directed project-based learning is not a one-size-fits-all model. One student may ditch a project for an entirely different reason than another student. Handle the issue on an individual basis. 

​If it's a pattern then they may be struggling with organization. They might get distracted or lose interest. They might even lack specific skills that would normally promote follow-through.  Communication between you and your students is key.

Resources:

• Tool Kits- Again, students may be lacking oversight or simply do not know what to do next. Provide the tools that they need. I highly recommend the starter kit.
• 21st-Century Skills Portfolio - As I said earlier, trouble with follow-through may stem from lack of skills. Help students build those skills with this resource. 

Let’s recap. Yes, self-directed PBL is challenging to implement at times, especially if you are a beginner. Even seasoned project-based educators make mistakes. We reflect, grow, and learn just as we ask of our students. The key to troubleshooting is relationship-building. Learn what drives and motivates your students. You'll figure it out together. 

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