I happen to think that project based learning is superior to traditional
teaching strategies. I am a member of www.edutopia.org and they have
some really inspiring videos there on project learning.

But here is the issue that project learning does not address. While
project learning is superior in teaching real world skills like problem
solving, collaboration, critical thinking, and problem solving; these
are not the things we test on our unit and standardized tests. Our
tests are filled with definitions and the regurgitation of minutia. We
talk about public education being a place to prepare our students for
the real world, yet we continue to test and rate them on abilities and
concepts that don't show real world skills.

Until we change our assessment practices, I don't see how project based
learning can really catch on. Those places where it is working well
have changed their entire mindset and assessment methodologies. They
also tend to be smaller magnet and charter schools.

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