Experiential Learning Taskgroup

PEARL: A Framework for Supporting and Assessing Project-Based Learning

University at Buffalo uses a technology-supported framework to help students navigate the full experiential learning cycle- from preparation to reflection.

Mara Huber & Christina Heath

Keywords: , , , ,

Overview

Project and Problem-Based Learning (PBL) cultivates 21st-century skills and competencies yet can be difficult to support and assess at scale. The PEARL (Prepare, Engage, Add Value, Reflect, and Leverage) framework provides a structured, scalable approach for facilitating student engagement while helping institutions track and evaluate priority outcomes.

Developed at the University at Buffalo (Huber, Heath, Baxter & Reed, 2022), PEARL enables students to:

  • Prepare for project engagement through setting intentions, establishing context, and thoughtful planning work.
  • Engage in real-world projects with structured mentorship and optional partners.
  • Add value through project outputs mapped to identified needs or opportunities.
  • Reflect on learning, impact, and skill development.
  • Leverage experiences for broader impact.

PEARL has been successfully applied across diverse disciplines and can be integrated within courses or used co-curricularly to support internships, research, global collaborations, and applied learning experiences. Through the UB Experiential Learning Network (ELN), PEARL projects culminate in digital badges, enabling students to showcase their skills and achievements with clickable evidence.

To drive student and faculty engagement, PEARL projects can be supported with funding, presentation opportunities, and other incentives. The framework has been successfully adapted across diverse educational contexts, including basic, vocational, and tertiary education. In Enugu Nigeria, PEARL is being integrated within the Smart Green Schools initiative, equipping teachers and students with hands-on, SDG-aligned project experiences that drive sustainability and workforce development. This approach is being researched and supported through a Spencer Foundation Vision Grant (Huber, Mbah, and Morreale (2025) with other iterations being developed for implementation in Basic, Tertiary, and agricultural contexts. These adaptations demonstrate PEARL’s flexible structure in supporting student-driven innovation, research, and applied problem-solving while making experiential learning more accessible, scalable, and globally relevant.

Case Study: ArcGIS StoryMaps for Reflection and Integration

Through a 2023 IITG grant, UB and SUNY faculty integrated PEARL digital badges into courses featuring partners and projects aligned with the SDGs. As part of this initiative, ArcGIS StoryMaps was introduced as a reflection and assessment tool, enabling students to document and showcase their learning through interactive narratives.

Why ArcGIS StoryMaps?

StoryMaps is a web-based platform that allows students to integrate maps, multimedia, and narrative text into an engaging, interactive format. It serves as both a reflection tool and a learning output, capturing students’ progress while providing partners and institutions with a dynamic showcase of impact. StoryMaps have been used extensively in education, with accessible examples to catalyze ideas and inspiration. For our IITG project, we utilized StoryMaps for:

  • Structured Reflection – StoryMaps documented students’ preparation and reflections.
  • Project Outputs – StoryMaps served as clickable evidence within digital badges.
  • Capacity Building – Partners were encouraged to showcase student projects, expanding their reach and impact.

StoryMap Guidelines for Students:

We encouraged students to be creative with their StoryMaps while ensuring that the following minimal requirements were met:

  1. Introduce Your Partner – Briefly describe the organization’s mission.
  2. Describe Your Project – Clearly outline your role and contributions.
  3. Connect to a Broader Context – Explain alignment with academic or career goals.
  4. Reflect on Growth – Discuss skill development and key takeaways.
  5. Incorporate a Relevant Map – Use spatial data for context.
  6. Ensure Cohesion – Structure content for clarity and engagement.
  7. Get Creative – Enhance with multimedia elements.

Benefits for Faculty, Students and Partners

The integration of StoryMaps with PEARL activities and digital badges resulted in benefits for students and partners, supporting reflection and broader impacts. The connecting projects, courses, and partners are detailed in Experiential Learning and Community Partnerships for Sustainable Development: A Foundational Model for Climate Action (Huber, Jabot & Heath, 2024). This book addresses the growing demand for applied experiences and the urgent need to promote and invest in skills that support sustainable development, such as those needed to analyze and mitigate climate change. The authors argue that this challenge provides an opportunity to reimagine the use of Experiential Learning, connecting students with community-based partners doing the work of sustainable development around the world.

Adaptability: Bringing PEARL to Your Campus

PEARL can be easily integrated into existing academic and co-curricular programs, allowing institutions to expand experiential learning at scale.

1. Integrate PEARL into Experiential Learning Programs

  • Support internships, service-learning, study abroad, and capstone projects.

2. Embed PEARL in Courses

  • Develop PEARL worksheets or technology-supported activities to structure student projects, reflections, and documentation of skill development.

3. Align PEARL with Institutional Priorities

  • Connect projects with campus initiatives, workforce development programs, and student success efforts.

4. Leverage Digital Credentials

  • Utilize digital badges for PEARL-based experiences, showcasing competencies to employers and graduate schools.

Additional Resources