Embedded Files
Project Based Learning by Gabrielle Mosher
Project Based Learning by Gabrielle Mosher
Learning Targets
Learning Targets
Reader Will Be Able To Define Project Based Learning
Readers Will Gain An Understanding Of How to implement Project Based Learning in the classroom
Readers Will Understand The pros and cons of Project Based Learning
When you think of your future classroom, are you teaching in a way that engages your students and inspires them to love learning? Project Based learning is a great teaching strategy to use to increase student engagement and interest while helping students to strengthen their use of critical thinking and problem solving. Students will be able to collaborate with one another while relating to the world around them, and they will be excited to come to class!
What is Project Based Learning?
Project based learning, or PBL for abbreviation, is a form of collaborative learning that allows students to become actively engaged in whatever subject they are learning. The main goal of project based learning is that students are able to collaborate with one another in order to achieve a common goal. With project based learning, students work together though social interactions and the sharing of their knowledge, ideas, and understandings to meet an end goal (Kokotsaki et al., 2016). This is an ongoing process where students identify and thoroughly research a real world problem, work together to create a solution, and then present a solution (Wolpert-Gawron, 2015). In this type of instruction, students are responsible for their learning, with the guidance of their instructor of course resulting in a more meaningful learning experience.
Here is a short presentation about Project Based Learning
Here is a short video from Michelle Beatty on PBL.
Beatty, M. (n.d.). Student Engagement and Project Based Learning. YouTube. Retrieved October 20, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/?gl=GB.
How to Implement Project Based Learning in the Classroom
Project based learning has been shown to increase student’s problem solving skills, time management skills, critical thinking abilities, and student’s self efficacy (Yamada, 2020). These are all great examples of why project based learning should be implemented in the classroom. According to Dimitra Kokotsaki, the first step to implementing PBL in the classroom is to work with students to develop a question related to the course material that sparks a common interest (Kokotsaki et al., 2016). It is the instructors responsibility to provide students with adequate resources for research, such as time in computer labs and time in class for collaboration, as well as manage lesson plans that will relate curriculum standards to the project. After a research question has been developed, students will work together in small groups to research the problem, and work together towards a solution. Throughout the entirety of the project, instructors should assess each group's work to see that the learning objectives are being met and students are showing an understanding of the material. The use of formative evaluation can be used to focus on students and monitor their progress and understanding of the material (Thomas, 2000).
A typical PBL assignment will develop over an extended period of time, usually a few weeks to a month. During this time, students will have many opportunities to work in their groups to solve the problem and work towards a final presentation that will be presented. This helps to foster interpersonal communication skills that will help students both inside and outside the classroom.
The Pros and Cons of Project Based Learning
There are numerous advantages and benefits to using Project Based Learning in the classroom rather than traditional teaching methods; however there can be obstacles to overcome when implementing this type of teaching strategy as well.
Pros of Project Based Learning
Project based learning has shown to increase students self efficacy (Chen, Hernandez, & Dong, 2015)
This form of instruction pushes students to utilize critical thinking skills and leads to a deeper understanding of material and increases the likelihood of retaining content knowledge (Kokotsaki et al., 2016).
This method of teaching is relevant to modern classrooms through technological requirements (Galvin & Coronado, 2014).
Students will be more engaged while actively participating in finding solutions to problems in the world around them.
Cons of Project Based Learning
If the proper planning has not been made, it may be difficult to implement PBL in the classroom.
Some students and schools may lack the necessary resources needed to successfully carry out tasks needed for PBL (Thomas, 2017).
Many feel that PBL is too time consuming, and it may be difficult to keep students on task while monitoring their time management skills.
Many instructors feel that this method of teaching requires “less instructional time and more coaching” (Cain and Cocco, 2013).
Conclusion
Project based learning has proven to be a highly effective method of teaching students that can take any subject in any classroom and turn it into a fun, exciting, learning experience that will help students become more engaged inside the classroom and prepare them for the world outside of the classroom. I feel that the benefits of project based learning are enormous and can offer many opportunities for students to learn and grow both inside and outside of the classroom. Project based learning is something that I look forward to implementing in my future classroom to make learning in any subject more engaging for my students, and to help them learn to relate their education to their community and personal lives.
Questions
1.) Which of the following best fits the description of Project Based Learning?
a). Students work in collaborative groups to solve a problem
b). Students work independently on assignments related to a problem
c). Students work independently to create a solution to a problem
d.) Students work together to take a test given out by the teacher
2.) What is the first step in implementing PBL in the classroom?
a). Craft a presentation that reflects what students know
b). Develop a question that sparks student interest
c). Form groups
d). Go to the computer room
References
References
Cain, K., & Cocco, S. (2013). Leadership development through project based learning. Proceedings of the Canadian Engineering Education Association (CEEA). https://doi.org/10.24908/pceea.v0i0.4869
Dong, J., & Chen,P., & Hernandez, A. (2015, June), Designing Effective Project-Based Learning Experience Using a Participatory Design Approach Paper presented at 2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Seattle, Washington. 10.18260/p.23817
Galvan, M. E., & Coronado, J. M. (2014). Problem-Based and Project-Based Learning: Promoting Differentiated Instruction . National Teacher Education Journal, 7(4). https://doi.org/https://knilt.arcc.albany.edu/images/7/70/Problem_Based_and_Project_Based_Learning-_Promoting_Differentiated_Instruction.pdf
Kokotsaki, D., Menzies, V., & Wiggins, A. (2016). Project-Based Learning: A review of the literature. Improving Schools, 19(3), 267–277. https://doi.org/10.1177/1365480216659733
Thomas, M. (2017). From task- to project-based language learning. Project-Based Language Learning with Technology, 12–30. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315225418-2
Yamada, H. (2020). An implementation of project‐based learning in an EFL context: Japanese students’ and teachers’ perceptions regarding team learning. TESOL Journal, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/tesj.519
Wolpert-Gawron, H. (2015, August 13). What the heck is project-based learning? Edutopia. Retrieved November 1, 2021, from https://www.edutopia.org/blog/what-heck-project-based-learning-heather-wolpert-gawron.
Answers
1). A
2). B
Page updated
Report abuse