Summary of "Ron Berger on PBL & Quality Work | PBL World 2019 Keynote"

Ron Berger, an educator with 44 years of experience, passionately advocates for Project-Based Learning (PBL) as a means to cultivate "Beautiful Work" in students. He emphasizes that students are capable of producing high-quality, meaningful work across all disciplines and that PBL reflects real life, where success is judged by the quality of character and work rather than standardized tests.

Main Ideas and Concepts

Beautiful Work:
- Refers not only to artistic work but also Beautiful Work in math, science, social justice, equity, compassion, and kindness.
- Emphasizes craftsmanship and quality in student projects.
Critique of Current Student Achievement Measures:
- The national focus is too narrow, relying mainly on standardized test scores in math and literacy.
- Berger proposes a three-dimensional view of achievement: academic excellence, character development, and high-quality work.
Project-Based Learning (PBL) as Life Preparation:
- PBL is not a fad but a reflection of real-life demands where people are judged by the quality of their work and character.
- PBL was popular in the 70s and 80s, diminished during No Child Left Behind era, but is now resurging thanks to organizations like PBLWorks.
Models of Excellence Website:
- A free, open-source repository of hundreds of high-quality student projects collected over decades.
- Teachers and schools are encouraged to submit exemplary projects for curation and sharing worldwide.
- Includes a new toolkit for documenting projects effectively, emphasizing student-led documentation.
Importance of Relationships and School Culture:
- Example of a high school in Springfield, MA, with 98% graduation and 100% college acceptance due to a strong culture of daily advisory ("crew") meetings and meaningful projects.
Real-Life Impact of PBL:
- Springfield students conducted energy audits of city schools, leading to a $156,000 investment in energy retrofits, saving money and benefiting the environment.
- Students engaged in authentic, public-facing projects that influenced city policy.
Personal Connection to PBL:
- Berger lives in a small rural town where many former students serve as first responders, nurses, and community members.
- This personal stake highlights why character and quality work matter deeply.
Examples of Student-Led Scientific Research:
- Elementary students conducted an amphibian census, surpassing professional efforts, and successfully challenged state experts on species identification.
- Students contributed to the world’s first salamander tunnels to protect local wildlife.
Field Guides as PBL Projects:
- Students from diverse backgrounds, including refugee populations, collaboratively created Field Guides for local ecosystems, including an e-book with audio, music, and student narration.
- These projects demonstrate that students can produce professional-level work with real-world impact.
Supporting Students with Learning Challenges:
- Story of Jamie, a student with significant learning disabilities who succeeded through Project-Based Learning with support, critique, and perseverance.
- Jamie’s journey from struggling fifth grader to college graduate and horse farm manager exemplifies how PBL supports diverse learners.
- Her brother also succeeded with PBL, running a business despite early reading challenges.
PBL and Equity:
- Projects incorporate social justice themes, such as a viral music video by second graders advocating for snakes, challenging stereotypes and promoting equity.

Methodology / Instructions for Implementing Quality PBL

Focus on Quality and Craftsmanship:
- Encourage students to produce work they are proud of, emphasizing hard work over natural talent.
Use of Critique and Revision:
- Students present drafts for peer critique and revise their work multiple times to improve quality.
Student-Led Documentation:
- Teach students to document their learning process, not just the final product, using available toolkits.
Authentic, Real-World Projects:
- Design projects that have real impact and audience beyond the classroom (e.g., reports to city officials, community research).
Incorporate Character Development:
- Create advisory or "crew" groups that meet regularly to build relationships and support social-emotional learning.
Inclusive for All Learners:
- Provide support and scaffolding to students with learning challenges, ensuring all can engage in high-quality projects.
Share and Celebrate Student Work:
- Use platforms like the Models of Excellence website to showcase exemplary projects and inspire others.

Featured Speakers / Sources

Ron Berger – Keynote speaker, longtime educator and advocate for Project-Based Learning and Beautiful Work.
PBLWorks Team – Organization supporting the PBL movement, including Bob, Brandon, Dinah, John Larmour, John Mergendoller, John Thomas, and Tom Marc.