Inside PBL Future Labs | Update – 25 April 2025

Momentum continues to build at PBL Future Labs as we focus on expanding both our community reach and the tangible impact of our work. This period has seen notable growth within our network, encompassing both individual consultants and organisational partners. Concurrently, several new and significant projects are progressing from planning stages into active development, reflecting our commitment to advancing Project-Based Learning (PBL).

Here is a more detailed overview of recent developments within PBL Future Labs:

Welcoming New Expertise to Our Consultant Program

We are pleased to announce the addition of five highly qualified professionals to our consultant program: Dan Thomas, Joanne McGovern, Nicole Archer, Joricke Van der Merwe, and Ashlee Russell, M.Ed. The inclusion of these individuals brings a considerable expansion of expertise. Their collective skills encompass critical areas such as detailed curriculum design aligned with PBL principles, and various AI integration approaches. This broadened skill set significantly enhances our organisational capacity to provide comprehensive support to schools undertaking PBL and AI initiatives.

Expanding Our Partnership Program with Innovative Collaborators

Our network of strategic partners continues to grow, enhancing our ability to deliver multifaceted PBL solutions. We are excited to formalise partnerships with Saltysharks.io, who specialise in designing and facilitating experiential learning opportunities, and Beworldclass.org, known for their robust frameworks focused on developing global competencies in students. These organisations join our established ecosystem of collaborators, collectively strengthening our reach and capabilities. Saltysharks brings specific expertise in hands-on, Metaverse and gaming, while Beworldclass provides valuable structures for embedding international perspectives and cross-cultural skills within PBL units. These collaborations are instrumental in delivering cutting-edge, comprehensive PBL programs. We anticipate announcing further strategic partnerships in the near future as discussions progress.

Launching a Transformative Project with Nadeen School in Bahrain

A significant new initiative has commenced with Nadeen School, located in Bahrain. We have successfully launched the initial phase of this international collaboration. The project's core focus lies at the strategic intersection of three key educational domains: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Project-Based Learning (PBL), and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). This engagement represents a major step in applying our future-focused PBL framework within an international context, specifically exploring how AI can enhance PBL processes and how both can effectively address ESD goals. The initial phase involves needs assessments, framework alignment, and co-design workshops with Nadeen School staff. We are eager to observe the development of this collaboration and are committed to sharing key findings and outcomes as the project progresses.

Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities

Our team is actively engaged in the development of new professional development resources. Currently, the focus is on creating comprehensive offline courses designed for in-depth training on various aspects of PBL implementation. Alongside these larger courses, we are evaluating the potential for offering micro-courses. These shorter, more focused modules would provide targeted professional development on specific PBL skills or strategies, offering flexibility for educators seeking to enhance particular areas of their practice. Further details regarding course topics, formats, and schedules will be announced soon. Please monitor our communications channels for updates.

PBL Strategy Spotlight: Enhancing Assessment with Student Portfolios via Gamma

A persistent challenge within Project-Based Learning involves effectively demonstrating and assessing student learning throughout complex projects. To address this, we are actively developing methodologies for creating comprehensive student portfolios utilising the Gamma.app platform. This tool offers a promising pathway for translating learning standards into actionable, trackable workbook components within a portfolio structure. The aim is to provide a clear mechanism for students to document their process and evidence their learning against specific standards, while maintaining the authentic, project-driven nature of PBL. This approach facilitates more transparent and manageable assessment of student progress within project work.

Looking Ahead: Key Focus Areas for 2025

Our ongoing efforts involve cultivating strong, collaborative relationships with schools and educational organisations. We are actively preparing for a diverse range of projects scheduled for the upcoming year. Current observations suggest that single-day workshops and specialised, topic-focused sessions are proving to be effective methods for initiating relationships with schools and introducing them to our approaches. These initial engagements often serve as foundations for more extensive collaborations. Key strategic focus areas for the remainder of 2025 include refining our AI-integrated PBL models and expanding our resources for supporting ESD through project work.

Grow Our Network Through Your Connections

Referrals from our existing network play a crucial role in helping us extend our reach and impact. If you are aware of schools, districts, or potential partner organisations that demonstrate a strong commitment to innovative learning methodologies and might benefit from collaborating with PBL Future Labs, we encourage you to consider facilitating an introduction. We will reward you with a percentage of the overall signing cost. Around 10-20% depending on the project. To ensure strategic alignment and manage communication effectively, we kindly request that you first contact Phil ([email protected]) via email to briefly discuss the potential connection before any direct introductions are made.

We value your continued interest and engagement with the work of PBL Future Labs.

Phil Alcock, CEO