What are some ways to use PBL to promote student engagement in music education?

1 Choose a relevant and challenging driving question

A driving question is the main focus of a PBL unit, and it should be open-ended, relevant, and challenging for students. A driving question should spark curiosity and inquiry, and connect to the learning goals and standards of the music curriculum. For example, a driving question for a PBL unit on music composition could be: How can we use musical elements to express our emotions and perspectives?

3 Scaffold the learning process and provide feedback

A PBL unit should not be a free-for-all, but a structured and guided learning process that supports students' development and growth. Teachers should scaffold the learning process by providing clear expectations, rubrics, checkpoints, and resources for students. Teachers should also provide feedback throughout the unit, and encourage students to self-assess and peer-assess their work. For example, a scaffolded learning process for a PBL unit on music composition could include: A brainstorming session, a research phase, a drafting phase, a revision phase, and a reflection phase.

5 Foster collaboration and communication

Another essential element of PBL is collaboration and communication, which means enabling students to work together and share their ideas, feedback, and products. Collaboration and communication can enhance student engagement and learning in music education, as it allows them to develop their social, emotional, and musical skills. Teachers can foster collaboration and communication by creating opportunities for students to work in groups, pairs, or teams, and to interact with peers, experts, or audiences. For example, collaboration and communication for a PBL unit on music composition could include: Students working in groups or pairs to compose their songs or pieces, students consulting with music experts or mentors, and students presenting or performing their songs or pieces to their classmates, families, or communities.

6 Integrate technology and media

Technology and media can be powerful tools to support and enrich PBL in music education, as they can offer students access to information, resources, tools, and platforms that can enhance their musical learning and expression. Teachers can integrate technology and media by using them to facilitate the learning process, the final product or presentation, and the assessment and evaluation of the PBL unit. For example, technology and media for a PBL unit on music composition could include: Students using online sources, apps, software, or devices to research, compose, record, edit, or share their songs or pieces, and teachers using online tools, platforms, or portfolios to assess, evaluate, or showcase students' work.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?