PBL Promotes Robust SEL Skills Through Social Justice Education

Do you agree with the following statement? 

Students' lives are full of rich areas for exploration and real problems to solve. 

If you do - read on.  If not, this blog is not for you. 

Social Justice Education focuses on exposing the socio-political context that students experience by raising each* student’s consciousness about inequity in everyday social, environmental, economic and political situations.  

Project-Based Learning (PBL) helps students develop real-world problem-solving skills that are essential in any field. In PBL, students learn how to define a problem, gather and analyze data, and develop creative solutions that address the root causes of the problem. PBL also teaches students how to communicate effectively, collaborate with others, and reflect on their learning process.

By using project-based learning in social justice education, schools can provide students with the opportunity to engage with important issues in meaningful ways, thereby providing authentic opportunities that come from student’s lives to develop critical thinking skills, empathy, and a sense of agency while making positive change in their communities.

Importantly, for the student teams to be successful, they must think creatively and innovatively to solve complex problems, which can help to develop their social-emotional skills such as risk-taking, resilience, and adaptability.  

Finally, begin by identifying a social justice issue that is relevant to your students and their communities. This could be anything from environmental justice to racial equity to LGBTQ+ rights. By engaging students in these issues, teachers can help them develop a deeper understanding of the complex challenges facing our society and how they can become agents of change. 

It can also help create engaged and empathetic citizens who are committed to making a positive difference in the world.  That is of the utmost importance to me - how about you?

*Not just those of the oppressed group