Students Go Back to the American Revolution in Project-Based Learning Project

Imagine being able to interview George Washington, Phillis Wheatley or Alexander Hamilton for a podcast. That’s what LaRue County teacher Laura Evans will have her students bring to life in an upcoming project.

Rather than read about history, her students are diving into the world of the American Revolution through modern capabilities. They’ll take on the perspectives of various Revolutionary leaders and then take on that persona for a podcast episode.

Bringing history to life is one part of LaRue County Schools’ focus on Project-Based Learning (PBL). Project-Based Learning is a key focus in the goals set forth by the county’s Learner Profile. The hope is that practical applications of curriculum drive those lessons home and give students a way to see how what they’re learning in class applies to the real world.

For a subject like history, Project-Based Learning is exceptionally helpful. Through this type of instruction, the men and women being read about on a page no longer stay restricted to the past. Students get to think critically about how these iconic figures would handle modern issues.

Evans noted the difference between Project-Based Learning and traditional lecturing is vast.

“[Students] become actively engaged in learning the information to work towards a final product that will be shared outside the classroom,” she said. “This is different from lecturing because the teacher is giving the information which limits what students will learn. With PBL the amount of information the students will learn is endless and authentic, opening many avenues to more questioning which deepens their knowledge of a topic.”

Evans said that the benefits last well beyond a student’s time at LaRue County Schools.

“PBL will impact students' education journey for life after graduation by making them a better team member in the workforce because PBL requires collaboration and grit.

“It will impact their abilities to problem solve through research and determination. When students can successfully create final productivity they are proud of through PBL, it gives them the confidence and determination to keep trying to do more.”