PBL Simplified: 6 Steps to Move Project Based Learning from Idea to Reality

by Ryan Steuer, Dan Miller (Foreword)

What if, rather than just surviving another school day, educators were inspired and thriving? 

What if administrators and teachers knew how to confidently lead their schools toward a Project Based Learning environment? 

What if leaders in education had the skills, structures, and resources to equip every teacher in their building to create a PBL classroom?

The process and structures for Project Based Learning have been tested, researched and ready for education professionals to implement! Ryan Steuer, host of the PBL Simplified Podcast and founder of Magnify Learning, has combined the structures of Project Based Learning with Win Stories, Fail Stories, and Practical Steps that give every educator a place to start. 

Within PBL Simplified, teachers will find stories and resources they can use right away in their classroom to improve learner outcomes—no matter if they are new to PBL or a veteran PBL facilitator. By applying Ryan’s leadership insights, instructional coaches and principals will be able to avoid common pitfalls of PBL implementation and create a Project Based Learning plan with buy-in from teachers, parents and community partners.

Don’t start implementing PBL without first reading PBL Simplified!

201 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2023

Reviews

[Rachel Brunsell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A easy guide to help me incorporate more PBL into my classroom. Steuer breaks PBLs down into six manageable steps, helping to remove some of the trepidation that can come with trying something new. This helped me to implement a PBL into my classroom that one student said she felt “privileged” to be able to have participated in.

[Kelly Misheikis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ryan Steuer's book, PBL Simplified, is a fantastic read if you're interested in Project-Based Learning. This book is a how-to manual that includes a "win story", a "fail story", questions, and resources in each chapter. Ryan's practical approach to PBL will help educators learn how to engage their students and how to make learning practical, while also covering required learning standards. The best part about the book is that it is a quick read and can be used as a resource throughout any PBL. Whether you are a veteran of PBL and need a refresher or you're new to PBL and want to get started, this is the book for you! I highly recommend this book for your next book club at school or as a leisure read at home.

[Jaime Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you're familiar with project-based learning (PBL) and looking for a refresher on the fundamentals, or you've never heard of the concept and you landed here looking for a new way to engage students, this book is a PERFECT STARTING POINT to implement manageable changes to your instruction to empower and engage students! Each chapter is short, sweet, and inspiring with easy-to-relate-to "wins" and loses" whether you are a primary teacher or a high school principal, with one year of experience or thirty! The book is rooted in a power WHY that makes the reader want to grab sticky notes and keep reading!

[Bob Sexton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teacher Friendly and Immediately Actionable

PBL Simplified will move you from the idea of project based learning to implementing PBL into your classroom and school.
As a former teacher, who implemented PBL in career and technical classes, this book is one I wished I had at the beginning of my teaching career. Today as a curriculum developer, I have the opportunity to insert PBL Simplified methods into the materials I create for my instructors and learners.
This book also includes stories from PBL teachers and learners to help the reader see the real progress of PBL in classrooms and schools.
Best of all this is a reference you will use throughout the year.

[Jordan Manley · Rating 5 out of 5]

PBL Simplified is the perfect companion for the Project Based teacher. This book is overflowing with lived experiences and simple strategies for successful PBL implementation. I can't recommend this book enough. It is for the hesitant or new PBL teacher that might be teetering on the fence, and it is for the experienced, master PBL teacher that is looking to go back to the well for advice and strategies to win in the classroom. Ryan Steuer has written the Project Based Learning blueprint in PBL Simplified.

[Ritch Hochstetler · Rating 5 out of 5]

PBL Simplified addresses the core questions everyone needs answered in order to transition from a traditional classroom model to project based learning. The step-by-step blueprint helps you roll your sleeves up and put your hands on the process, right down to the actions and steps and protocols that ensure effective implementation. More than a how-to guide, this book will transform you from a teacher into a facilitator, and will forever alter the way you relate to students who have become learners.

[Bob Sexton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was designed with the teacher in mind. The thirteen chapters average about 10 pages each. Just short enough that most teachers could read a chapter during a planning period. Each chapter includes a ”Win Story” “Fail Story” “Where to Start””Resources” and “Questions” all to keep the reader involved in the topic covered in the chapter.

So many ideas and best practices fill the pages of PBL Simplified to move you from Idea to Reality.

[Trisha Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book can meet you where you are! If you are a new teacher to PBL or a veteran teacher who has done PBL over a decade, this book will stretch and grow you in your practices. It is full of helpful hints on how to get started, great resources, and real life wins and fails from real life teachers. It can be a quick read or one that you can take a chapter at a time to improve your practice slowly.

[Melissa Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

PBL Simplified is a great place to start for teachers who have no idea where to begin with project based learning (PBL.) It gives step by step directions that are easy to follow. There are examples of success stories and failure stories. The questions at the end of each chapter really get you thinking about how you can successfully implement PBL into your classroom. I highly recommend this book to all educators.

[Deonna Puckett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great resource if you want to begin using project-based learning. I like that the book goes in sequential order of how to plan a project and also includes “wins” and “fails”. And shows you that not every project that you try will be super amazing and awesome.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m using PBL in my high school library for students who want to do a project or research something of personal interest. This book has been invaluable in keeping students on track while there are many students in different places. It is very helpful in guiding students in their own learning.

[Josh Giebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a game-changer for educators looking to dive into PBL! Ryan helps take away the mystery of PBL and makes it accessible for all teachers! The book is filled with practical strategies, real-world examples, and action items!

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful look at an overwhelming task.