Design A PBL Setting To A Given Topic
What This Tool Does
This tool creates comprehensive Problem-Based Learning (PBL) plans tailored to your specific classroom needs. It generates real-world scenarios that engage students in collaborative critical thinking while ensuring alignment with your curriculum goals.
How It Works: A Two-Step Process
Step 1: Generate Ideas
First, the tool will present you with 5 different PBL ideas based on your inputs. For each idea, you'll see:
A brief problem overview
The central question students will investigate
How it connects to your math topic(s)
Step 2: Develop Your Chosen Idea
After selecting your favorite idea (which you can modify if needed), the tool will generate a detailed PBL plan including:
Problem Overview - The central problem question
Learning Objectives - What students will master through this PBL unit
Real-World Context - How this connects to situations outside the classroom
Problem Statement - The challenge as it will be presented to students
Guiding Materials - 3 sets of scaffolded questions and/or success criteria
Expected Solution Approaches - 2-3 sample scenarios of different student approaches
Extension Opportunities - Ways to challenge students who need more
How to Fill Out the Form
1. Math Topic
What to input: Enter the specific math concept(s) or skill(s) that will be the focus of your PBL unit.
Example: "Solving systems of linear equations" or "Proportional relationships and percentages"
Be specific: Rather than "Geometry," specify "Area and perimeter of irregular shapes"
How it influences the result:
Even when entering just one topic, the PBL unit will naturally incorporate related mathematical concepts.
The specified topic will be the primary mathematical focus, with other concepts integrated in support.
The more precisely you define your topic, the more targeted the problem scenario will be.
2. Grade Level
What to input: Select the grade level of your students.
How it influences the result: This adjusts the:
Complexity of mathematical concepts
Language used in materials
Depth of analysis expected from students
Types of scaffolding provided
3. Country
What to input: Enter the country where your students attend school.
Examples: "USA," "Australia," "Germany," "India"
How it influences the result: This customizes the:
Cultural references and examples
Measurement systems (metric vs. imperial)
Local contexts that students will recognize
Alignment with country-specific educational standards
4. Target Group
What to input: Describe the characteristics of your student population.
Examples:
"Mixed-ability class with several ELL students"
"Advanced learners who enjoy technology"
"Students with stronger visual learning preferences"
"Class with diverse socioeconomic backgrounds"
How it influences the result: This tailors the:
Scenario to match student interests
Differentiation suggestions
Types of scaffolding provided
Cultural relevance of the problem context
5. Activity Duration
What to input: Enter the number of minutes (between 5-120) you plan to devote to this PBL activity.
Examples: 45 (for a single class period), 90 (for a double period), 120 (for extended project time)
How it influences the result:
Shorter durations (under 60 minutes) will generate more focused, compact PBL challenges
Longer durations will include more complex investigations with multiple components
The timeline suggestions will adjust to fit within your available class time
Scaffolding recommendations will account for time constraints
What You'll Receive
Your final generated PBL unit will include:
Problem Overview - The central problem question that drives student investigation
Learning Objectives - Clear statements of what students should understand and be able to do
Real-World Context - How the problem connects to authentic situations students can relate to
Problem Statement - The complete challenge as it will be presented to students
Guiding Materials - 3 sets of scaffolded questions and success criteria to support student thinking
Expected Solution Approaches - 2-3 sample scenarios showing how different students might tackle the problem
Extension Opportunities - Ways to deepen the learning for students who need additional challenges
Topic Integration Map - How the primary topic connects with supporting mathematical concepts
Note: While this tool provides detailed text descriptions of all materials, you will need to separately create any physical manipulatives, images, or interactive digital tools mentioned in the plan.