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Visible Learning™
Visible Learning MetaX™
Version 1.4 – Updated February 2026

Project-based learning

Overview

  • Influence: Project-based learning
  • Domain: Teaching Strategies
  • Sub-Domain: Instructional strategies
  • Potential to Accelerate Student Achievement: Potential to considerably accelerate
  • Influence Definition: PBL involves students actively exploring real-world problems and challenges through collaborative, hands-on projects

Evidence

  • Number of meta-analyses: 6
  • Number of studies: 211
  • Number of students: 6,075
  • Number of effects: 287
  • Weighted mean effect size: 0.88
  • Robustness index: 3

Meta-Analyses

Meta-Analyses
Journal Title Author Article Name Year Published Variable Number of Studies Number of Students Number of Effects Effect Size
Education and Science Ayaz & Soylemez The Effect of the Project-Based Learning Approach on the Academic Achievements of the Students in Science Classes in Turkey: A Meta-Analysis Study 2015 Project based learning in Turkey 41 NA 42 1.00
International Journal of Educational Studies in Social Sciences Purbosari, Mobo, Sugiyanto, Malyati, Muryati, Angganing, & Pujiyana Meta-Analysis of the Impact of the PjBL Learning Model on Student Academic Achievement: Analysis of Combined Effects and Heterogeneity. 2024 Project based learning 26 NA 26 1.12
Dissertation Meng Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of Project-Based Learning Approach on Academic Achievement in Higher Education Worldwide 2023 Project based learning 17 2,124 17 1.64
CMU Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Rehman, Huang, Batool, Andleeb, & Mahmood Assessing the Effectiveness of Project-Based Learning: A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis of Student Achievement between 2010 and 2023. 2024 Project based learning 70 NA 70 0.65
Pegem Journal of Education and Instruction Badawi, Sumarno, Hulon, Prihatmojo, Manaf, suciati, & Ratai Integration of Blended Learning and Project-Based Learning (BPjBL) on Achievement of Students' learning goals: A Meta-analysis study.  2023 Blended project based learning 11 NA 11 1.28
Curriculum and Teaching Wenlan & Jiao Is the learning effect of problem-based learning happening? An experimental and quasi-experimental studies. Curriculum and Teaching 2019 Project based learning 46 3,951 121 0.59
TOTAL/AVERAGE 211 6,075 287 1.05
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