Project-Based Learning

What is it?

Project-based learning is a student-centered instructional strategy for students, in collaborative groups, to learn by researching and using creative and critical thinking skills to identify, resolve, and reflect on a problem, idea, or challenge.

Advantages

PBL enhances students’ technology abilities and empowers the students to become self-directed and self-regulated learners to acquire and develop a number of transferable skills, like how to work with a group, creative problem solving, and good communication and listening skills.

PBL provides an opportunity for high engagement as students focus deeply with the target content as opposed to a traditional lecture where the teacher might simply present all the information to the students.

Disadvantages

PBL occurs in groups, so if students are not supervised closely, lazy students may take advantage of the students who are working to finish the project.

PBL requires an extensive amount of time to complete a single project, however, the learners do not define their own problem or come up with a project-driving question.

Technology Examples

Alex Chanto-Wetter

1. Use SmartArt from Microsoft to make an interactive family tree by adding it to PowerPoint to include voice-overs from PBL group members.

On the Insert tab in Microsoft Word, you find SmartArt. It offers graphics available in Word that you can use to create diagrams, such as flow charts, process charts, organization charts, etc.

2. Use Canva or Placeit by Envato to help local businesses increase environmental sustainability awareness (e.g., reduce waste) by designing a digital flyer to include in their social media.

Canva is a free-to-use online graphic design tool. Use it to create social media posts, presentations, posters, videos, logos, and more.

3. Using Timeline Js to identify, analyze, and visualize recurring themes in human history; then contextualize those themes in modern society.

TimelineJS is an open-source tool that enables anyone to build visually rich, interactive timelines.

4. Using AVS to design video-stories to capture, document, and share the wisdom of people about a specific topic (healthy eating, gardening, etc.).

AVS Video Editor is a video editing software published by Online Media Technologies Ltd.

5. Use Webnode to design a website of virtual tours of family friendly places to visit within 50,000 of location.

Webnode is a drag-and-drop online website builder system developed by Westcom, s.r.o.

Brandi Purvis

1. Zigzoo Kids: a video-sharing platform for collaborative learning. Allows teachers and students to explore new topics worldwide (K-5).

2. SeeSaw: a multi-media platform that demonstrates a student's progress over time and allows for creating digital portfolios (K-12).

3. Microsoft Teams: allows educators to manage classes, projects, and groups through flexible communication. You can also use the Class Notebook part of Microsoft Teams for collaborative notetaking (5- Higher Education).

4. WordPress: a blogging platform used to create healthy social networking (9- Higher Education).

5. Storymaker: a digital story platform that is used to help students understand and create media projects (9-12).

Hailey Willis

1. Makers Empire – allows students to virtually create 3D designs that can then be printed. Students have access to premade designs or can create their own. This tool would be great to help students bring an idea or creation to life, 3D print it, and be able to test their prototype.

2. Projects Pals – allows students to work collaboratively on projects that are assigned by teachers. The site includes numerous ready-made lesson plans that can be assigned to students. This would be a great tool to use when students can't always work together on a project in person, as it allows them to collaborate on the same project remotely.

3. Scratch – allows students the opportunity to learn coding language that can then be used to create digital games, stories, and animations.

4. Google Drawings – allows students to work collaboratively to create or draw representations of data or construct models. Students have the ability to insert pictures, video links, shapes, etc. This tool would be great for students to draw, plan, and share design ideas, or to compile data and information related to their projects.

5. PhET – allows students to experiment with a number of computer simulations that focus on common topics in physics, chemistry, math, etc. This tool could be very helpful for students to experiment with different situations to help them plan and design solutions to problems.

References

Du, X., & Han, J. (2016). A literature review on the definition and process of Project-Based Learning and other relative studies. Creative Education, 7(07), 1079. (Definition)

Hosseinzadeh, N., & Hesamzadeh, M. R. (2012). Application of project-based learning (PBL) to the teaching of electrical power systems engineering. IEEE Transactions on education, 55(4), 495-501. (Uses in Higher Education)

Mihic, M., & Zavrski, I. (2017). Professors’ and students’ perception of the advantages and disadvantages of project based learning. Int. J. Eng. Educ, 33(6), 1737-1750.

“Project-Based Learning: Teaching Guide.” Project-Based Learning: Teaching Guide | Center for Teaching & Learning, www.bu.edu/ctl/guides/project-based-learning/. Accessed 9 June 2023. (Definition)

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