Project Based Learning Expert, Writer, Editor
Internationally-recognized expert in project-based learning (PBL), writer, editor, speaker, curriculum developer, and professional learning designer.
John is a passionate, innovative educator and long-time advocate for progressive school reform, dedicated to making learning more meaningful for all students. He is currently senior PBL advisor for Defined Learning, contributing to its curriculum development, blog, white papers, professional learning programs, and promotion of PBL.
As a key builder of Buck Institute for Education (now dba PBLWorks), John served as its editor in chief, director of publications, and director of product development. He co-developed the model for Gold Standard PBL that is the foundation of PBLWorks’s products and services, and oversaw the quality of its written materials and website content. John edited the acclaimed PBL Blog, wrote widely-used rubrics for 21st century success skills, and problem-based curriculum units for high school government and economics. He contributed to PBLWorks’s research, online project library, and in-person and online professional development programs including the flagship PBL 101 workshop and workbook.
John is the author of several books on PBL (see below) for K-12 teachers, school leaders, and parents, which have been translated into Chinese, Spanish, Japanese, French, and Portuguese, as well as many articles and blog posts. He has presented sessions and keynotes at conferences and events across the U.S. and in other countries.
Before joining the Buck Institute for Education, John worked at the Western Assessment Collaborative at WestEd. For ten years John taught high school social studies and English, and co-founded a restructured small high school. He was a member of the National School Reform Faculty and a school coach for the Coalition of Essential Schools.
Recent projects include writing a forthcoming book on civic education for K-8 teachers for Teacher Created Materials, and writing project-based U.S. history curriculum units for Educurious.
NOTABLE PUBLICATIONS & RECENT BLOG POSTS
Project Based Learning Handbook for Elementary School (PBLWorks 2021)
Project Based Learning Handbook for Middle and High School (PBLWorks 2021)
Setting the Standard for Project Based Learning: A Proven Approach to Rigorous Classroom Instruction (ASCD 2015; best-seller)
Project Based Teaching: How to Create Rigorous and Engaging Learning Experiences (w/ Suzie Boss; ASCD 2018; best-seller)
PBL Starter Kit: To-the-Point Advice, Tools and Tips for Your First Project in Middle or High School, 2nd Edition (Buck Institute for Education 2017)
Getting Started with Project Based Learning (Quick Reference Guide; ASCD 2017)
PBL 101 Workbook: The Companion to PBLWorks' Introductory Project Based Learning Workshop (2011-2020)
An Intro to Project Based Learning for Parents and School Communities (Buck Institute for Education 2016)
Project Based Learning That Makes a Difference Educational Leadership magazine, ASCD, March 2020
Accessibility, Compliance, and Equity Online Journal, Nov.-Dec. 2019 issue
How Teachers Can Support PBL at Home: Tips and Projects Teachers Can Share with Parents and Caregivers, Edutopia, April 2020
CONSULTING & ADVISING
PROFESSIONAL APPEARANCES
Learning Forward Professional Learning Conference Speaker
December, 2019, St. Louis, MissouriIONTheFuture6 "Deep Within" Conference Keynote
August 2019, Sydney, AustraliaASCD Annual Conference Speaker
March 2004-2019, USALearning Competency: Project-based Learning Conference Keynote
November 2018, Shanghai, ChinaAnnual Conference for Middle Level Education (AMLE) Speaker
November 2014, Nashville, TennesseeHigh Schools That Work/Southern Regional Education Board Annual Conference Speaker
2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, USAInternational Problem-Based Learning Symposium Speaker
2005, Lima, Peru & 2007, Singapore