Background Essay: Integrating Disciplines in Project-Based Learning

Effective planning starts with considering the course outcome—what students should be able to do outside the classroom with the information they have learned in the classroom. With the outcome determined, the teacher can then select appropriate activities.

Activities that focus on workplace skills prepare students for future careers. Teaching to skill standards—the knowledge and abilities students need to get jobs—creates a gateway to the work world. Also, instructors should consider a field’s current trends, knowledge, and technology when planning a course.

Aligning course outcomes with those of other courses in a department or program gives students an integrated education. Communication and collaboration among instructors are essential to this big-picture approach. The result is a thoughtful curriculum that clearly connects students to future careers.