PBL Simplified for Teachers by Magnify Learning

About PBL Simplified for Teachers by Magnify Learning

WHAT: Weekly episodes for PBL TEACHERS. Guest and solo episodes to answer your most significant PBL Need to Knows. We bring information AND inspiration! WHO: Brought to you by Magnify Learning, your customized PBL partner for over a decade. CALL TO ACTION: Subscribe for a PBL resource in every episode FREE RESOURCE: Go to WhatisPBL.com for your first free resource. —------------------------------ PBL Simplified for Teachers Helping You Teach Like You’ve Always Wanted You became a teacher to engage learners, spark curiosity, and make a real impact—not to just hand out worksheets and prep for tests. PBL Simplified for Teachers is here to help you bring Project Based Learning (PBL) to life in your classroom. Hosted by Ryan Steuer of Magnify Learning, this podcast is your go-to resource for practical PBL strategies, real teacher success stories, and expert insights to make your teaching more engaging, meaningful, and effective. Whether you’re new to PBL or looking to refine your practice, each episode delivers actionable tips to help you confidently create learner-centered, real-world experiences. If you’re ready to teach like you've always wanted to, hit subscribe and start teaching like you’ve always wanted!

Publisher

Magnify Learning

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

9 Dec 2024

Latest episode

6 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

25 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   6 Oct 2026

   Can You Really Learn PBL From a Book? | E25

   Join Ryan as he discusses supporting teachers who are new to Project Based Learning (PBL). He emphasizes practical tips and a wealth of resources to make PBL approachable and effective in the classroom. The discussion explores whether educators can truly start implementing PBL by using a book and highlighted the PBL Simplified book and its accompanying resources as valuable tools for educators at all experience levels. Main Points One concept discussed was the effectiveness of learning and launching project-based learning through self-guided resources, such as the PBL Simplified book, when supported with tools and examples. A key theme that emerged was the power of collaborative learning—teachers were encouraged to find colleagues to work with as they implement PBL, though starting solo is also possible. Several points were raised, including the importance of starting small with manageable PBL units, focusing on core standards, and utilizing available planning templates and rubrics. The discussion explored the difference between training workshops and self-study, noting that while hands-on training is valuable, the book and free resources enable meaningful progress. Resources like planning forms, driving question rubrics, group contracts, and assessment slide decks are readily available in the PBL Movement Community to help remove barriers for teachers. Notable Quotes “Can you use a book to start Project Based Learning in your classroom? I think you can.” “You want to pick an authentic problem that your kids can solve because that's what brings engagement.” “You can find a 2 to 3 week PBL unit that you can do very successfully right there in your community and get the engagement and the academic outcomes that you want for your learners.” Call to Action Ready to learn more and access a wealth of project-based learning resources? Visit magnifypbl.com (https://magnifypbl.com/) to get started, explore training opportunities, and enhance your PBL journey.

2. 

   1 Sept 2026

   How to Make Learning Matter: Purpose, Story, and PBL With Trevor Muir | E24

   In this episode, Ryan Steuer sits down with Trevor Muir, educator, author, and host of The Epic Classroom podcast, to dive into authentic, purpose-driven teaching and project-based learning (PBL). Trevor Muir shares his journey from a disengaged student to a passionate educator, and discusses how embedding story and purpose into schoolwork transforms both students’ and teachers’ experiences in the classroom. They explore the practicalities of getting started with PBL, embracing imperfection as a teacher, and the critical role purpose plays in education today. Main Points Purpose-Centered Education: Trevor Muir emphasizes the need to infuse meaning and real-world application into lessons, arguing that both students and teachers thrive when the work genuinely matters. Project-Based Learning as Storytelling: Drawing parallels with the hero’s journey, Trevor Muir explains how impactful projects follow a story arc—students encounter a problem, gather knowledge, face challenges, and produce meaningful outcomes. Accessible Innovation: Teachers don’t need to overhaul everything—starting with just one purposeful project or authentic problem can make a significant difference. Innovation means adding value, not replacing effective practices. Learning from Failures: Both speakers discuss the importance of iteration, reflection, and giving educators permission to try, fail, and improve—underscoring that great projects often emerge from initial missteps. Teacher Mindset and Well-being: Enjoyment in teaching rises when students are engaged in purposeful work. Trevor Muir champions the idea that teachers should regularly revisit and refresh their approach for renewed satisfaction and effectiveness. Three Notable Quotes “Humans want to know that the work they do in this world matters. We all do. It is built within our design to live and operate that way.” — Trevor Muir “Innovation truly means adding value to the work that you’re doing. It doesn’t mean replacing, it means adding value.” — Trevor Muir “If you can’t articulate what the purpose of learning this material is, I think it’s pretty important that we figure out what it actually is. I mean, I think that’s the litmus test.” — Trevor Muir Call to Action Ready to add purpose and project-based learning to your classroom?Visit magnifypbl.com (https://magnifypbl.com/) to find tools, resources, and inspiration to start your PBL journey today!

3. 

   4 Aug 2026

   The Entry Event is Everything...And You're Probably Rushing It | E23

   In this episode, Ryan Steuer dives into the critical role of the entry event in Project-Based Learning (PBL). He discusses how a well-designed entry event sets the stage for student engagement, authentic inquiry, and real-world connection throughout a PBL unit. Sharing practical insights and examples, Ryan Steuer emphasizes why teachers should invest time and creativity into crafting compelling entry events to maximize student involvement and drive meaningful learning outcomes. Main Points The entry event is foundational to sparking student curiosity and engagement right from the start of a PBL unit. Strong entry events offer students clarity, purpose, and a sense of importance in their project, making standards and academic work more meaningful. Community partners and real-world problems elevate authenticity and emotional connection, distinguishing effective entry events from mere scenarios. A weak entry event often leads to surface-level questions and low buy-in, but teachers can refine and relaunch for better results. Teachers should avoid over-explaining; let curiosity and inquiry emerge naturally through the event’s activities and design. Collaboration among grade or department teams can enhance entry event quality through feedback and tuning protocols. Notable Quotes "Your Entry event is really the foundation of engagement, purpose and clarity." "If you have a powerful entry event, it is creating curiosity... there should be an emotional connection that you build if there’s a really great entry event." "When you have a great entry event, you don’t have to tell your learners why it matters. You’ve designed an entry event where they're experiencing that." Call to Action Want more resources and support for creating impactful PBL experiences? Visit magnifypbl.com (https://www.magnifypbl.com) today!

Who has been a guest on PBL Simplified for Teachers by Magnify Learning

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Ashley Curtin
• Joanna Clark
• Angela Stein

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

6 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 28 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

44

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact PBL Simplified for Teachers by Magnify Learning

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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