Over the past several years, educators have increasingly adopted personalized, student-centered teaching practices to ensure they reach and engage a broad spectrum of learners. Yet, when evaluating students’ knowledge and grasp of new concepts, many schools still rely on traditional assessment methods like tests and quizzes.
While these assessments have their place, they’re not always the best indicator of how well students understand materials or whether they can apply their new knowledge in a real-world context. Instead, it can be more beneficial (and enjoyable) for students to participate in project-based assessments: activities that require them to demonstrate their grasp of new information and skills in ways that promote further development and deep learning.
Project-based assessments (PBAs) are the means through which teachers measure student knowledge gained via project-based learning (PBL) — a student-centered teaching approach that uses engaging, real-world applications and hands-on learning to help students build knowledge while strengthening critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
In classrooms that use PBL, students often work together to answer curriculum-relevant questions and solve challenges, preparing them to become adept communicators and collaborators in their future lives and careers. Instead of end-of-unit tests, they are assessed through group or independent projects.
For example, in a unit about environmental pollution, students might be asked to prepare and present a strategy for reducing pollutants in their community. Or, to learn about the Supreme Court, you might hold a mock hearing where students research and argue for or against one side of a historic case.
One of the best benefits of using PBAs is that you can vary the format depending on the subject, unit, skills involved, and learning objective.
Examples of PBAs include:
In PBL, teachers act as guides, supporting students as they define problems and work to ideate and test solutions. Instead of lecturing, teachers ask probing questions that directly engage students, ignite their creativity and critical thinking, and frame challenges in the proper contexts. And instead of using traditional assessment methods like tests and quizzes, teachers assess student learning by evaluating their projects.
However, it’s important to recognize that PBAs are different from the projects teachers sometimes assign students after covering curriculum material in a traditional way. Unlike those lighter projects, a project-based assessment is the primary means for covering a unit.
In other words, students learn the material by completing a project, which may involve multiple phases and span several weeks. Assessments may include a combination of group collaboration and independent work and can even cover numerous subjects or curriculum areas. For projects with multiple steps, teachers might assess students at the end of each phase and on the final product.
PBAs differ from tests and quizzes, which can fall short in deciphering between actual knowledge and rote memorization. Instead, they (PBAs) help students build knowledge and challenge them to apply their new knowledge in meaningful ways.
While transitioning to PBL from traditional methods can take some getting used to, research shows it’s well worth the effort, boosting student engagement, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
In a study of middle school students, 7th and 8th graders taught via PBL displayed higher academic achievement in math and reading than non-PBL peers. And a 2020 study found that PBL techniques improve student engagement by supporting knowledge and information sharing and discussion.
Additionally, a study of vocational high school students found that PBL increased problem-solving abilities and learning motivation, while a 2019 study published in the International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research found multidisciplinary integrated PBL improved critical thinking and collaboration skills.
PBL can also make learning more fun for students, potentially reducing stress — particularly for those with test anxiety — while helping them excel academically. In a 2023 study where students’ exams were replaced with PBAs, students not only received higher marks but also reported a better learning experience.
We know what you’re probably thinking. “This sounds great in theory, but how do I successfully introduce PBAs into my classroom(s)?”
Here are a few recommendations:
Interested in leveraging PBAs in your classroom but not sure where to start? Sign up for a free Propello account to access hundreds of customized activities and projects.