Finding Good Problems
To help your PBL unit be real world, consider using real problems. Good problems are all around us. Grappling with real problems are the 21st Century skills that we want our kids to wrestle with to be better equipped for jobs that currently do not exist; to be able to flex their skills for multiple jobs. Look around. Watch the news. Examine current events. Pay attention to what people are talking about.
Examples
Social Issues
Political Freedoms Economy Jobs/Employment Trade Transportation Food Discrimination |
Environmental Issues
Energy Water Transportation Climate Forests Oceans Health Care |
Frame the current issue into a problem:
Integrate a current issue with student interests:
- Reducing energy use
- Solving lack of food issues
- Raising awareness pertaining to discrimination
- Decreasing water usage
- Health care resources of homeless
- Industrial waste
- Mercury exposure
- Severe weather safety
Integrate a current issue with student interests:
- Animals
- Friends
- Sports
- Technology
- Video Games
Challenging Problems
Begin by examining your local community. Older students can consider the larger global community. During your examination, pay attention to the things people are talking about. What is going on in the news?
Historically, we have been trained to walk students to the solution and make sure every learner came up with the same answer. We want to create messy problems with lots of potential detours and road blocks so students have to think critically.