Project-based Learning and Presentations

Transform student presentations with feedback and reflection

wordle of text from article

To make learning during the process visible and to facilitate assessment, project-based learning culminates in a final presentation of learning. Notice I didn‘t just say presentation, but presentation of learning. There is a difference. A big difference.

During the process of PBL, students receive continuous feedback from team mates, their instructor, coaches, mentors, and others involved in the project. Presenting the final product, idea, and any other relevant artifacts created during the process is a great way to celebrate success as well as get feedback. However, for purposes of growth and learning, presentations need to be more than an introduction to the product or learning artifact.

While there are times the presentation will include sharing information, a presentation of learning isn‘t a one-way lecture. In effective presentations of learning, everyone participates: the student presenting their learning, the audience, the facilitator.

Before presentations of learning begin, share questions that the presenters and audience members should be prepared to answer. Work to establish norms for sharing feedback.

Remind everyone that effective critiques are:

Ideas for the Presenter(s)

Begin transforming presentations into presentations of learning by making this distinction to your students. Let them know that you expect their final presentation to be a presentation of their learning through the project-building process, not just a demonstration of the product they create.

Presentations of learning should include what students learned about:

To promote reflection, you might ask them to also share:

Ideas for the Audience

The audience should be expected to give feedback on the project content and delivery. The audience should also share observations, reflections, and ideas brought up as students share their learning.

Ask the audience what they learned about:

Ask the audience to share opinions about the product/idea/design:

Instructors/Facilitators

The instructor should share insights on the product, student presentations and reflections, and audience thoughts. They should also highlight issues and events that occurred for the presenter(s) during the process. Ask clarifying and open-ended questions that further group discussion.

Listen to critiques and feedback from the students and audience for insight into what the students have gained from participating in the project. This will enable instructors to reflect upon key elements to maintain in future projects and that can improve the process next time.

As students present their learning, write common themes, issues, and ideas in a place everyone can refer to when forming their own reflections and feedback.

Beyond Oral Presentations

Don't settle for making every presentation of learning an oral presentation or multimedia slide show. Students can also share projects through small group discussion, peer-to-peer meetings, or even in a mini-trade show or conference.

Creative Educator can help bring PBL to your school or district.Find out more >

You may even want to separate the product presentation from the presentation of learning, since they may have competing goals. For example, if outside experts are judging a product prototype or design, the focus needs to remain on the product. The presentation of learning should take place at a different time.

Integrate Reflection

You can also promote reflection and presentation of learning by asking students to complete a written self-assessment before presenting. You might ask them to reflect on:

It doesn‘t take major changes to transform a presentation into a presentation of learning. Simply asking for feedback and reflection about the product AND the process will help you get there.

Melinda Kolk

by Melinda Kolk

Melinda Kolk (@melindak) is the Editor of Creative Educator and the author of Teaching with Clay Animation. She has been helping educators implement project-based learning and creative technologies like clay animation into classroom teaching and learning for the past 15 years.

Creative Educator can help you bring project-based learning to your school.

Learn More
Project-based learning professional development

Bring project-based learning to your school

Presentations

Make presentations of learning work for ELLs and primary students

Splat... Pow... Wow!

Make learning fun with comics and cartoons

Wixie on a stack of Chromebooks
Getting Chromebooks?
Stay creative with Wixie!
Authentic Task

How to write a great authentic task

Get Started with Rubrics

Make It Matter! Move from projects to project-based learning

More sites to help you find success in your classroom

Wixie

Share your ideas, imagination, and understanding through writing, art, voice, and video.

Rubric Maker

Create custom rubrics for your classroom.

Pics4Learning

A curated, copyright-friendly image library that is safe and free for education.

Wriddle

Write, record, and illustrate a sentence.

Creative Educator

Professional Learning

About Us

Get the Creative Educator Newsletter

Topics

Creativity

Digital Storytelling

21st Century Classrooms

Project-based Learning

Teaching and Learning

Curriculum

Literacy

Literature

Informational Text

English Language Aquisition

STEM

Lessons

Language Arts

Math

Science

Social Studies

Visual Arts

Add me to the Creative Educator email list!