I have talked a lot about Project Based Learning (PBL) as a tool to help facilitate better teaching and learning practices for our students with the effort to harness their skills for the future. PBL is a dynamic classroom approach that helps students actively explore real world problems (Edutopia.com), in addition to acquiring a deeper understanding and knowledge base.
This method may sound new, but it’s interesting to note that the roots go back to the late 1600’s – this is when the idea of teaching using projects in architecture and engineering was first founded, based on constructivism in which students are active in their learning. Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development posits that individuals do not acquire knowledge through passivity within a direct process of knowledge transfer. Instead, students gain understanding and knowledge through constructing experiences, integrating new information with they already know through a process called schema activation.
What does PBL look like in today’s classroom? BIE.org describes three essential components called Gold Standard PBL.
1. Setting student learning goals:
- Knowledge of content
- Standards, and their ability to apply the knowledge to the real world using 21st century sills
- Application
2. Essential project design elements:
- Engage the students by having them think about problem / driving questions such as “How can we improve student attendance by decreasing risk of sickness within our school system?
- Real world application, example: improving a local park
- Student voice, meaning students care more about their projects if they have a voice in choosing them.
- Reflection, what do students think about the approach to the next assignment?
- Critique and revision, meaning peer and teachers giving and receiving feedback
- Public product, when students share their product in and outside the school community, it encourages higher quality work.
3. PBS teaching practices from a teacher’s standpoint needs to:
- Be well designed
- Aligned from the assignments to the standards
- Built to the culture of promoting student independence and growth
- Manage the activities with check points and deadlines
- Scaffold student learning with tools and strategies to help students reach their goals
- Assess student learning using formative and summative assessments
- Engage and coach students
What would be an accomplishment is trying to implement a transformational change emphasizing these often-quoted excerpts “sage on the stage” to “guide on the side.”
References:
Catapano, S., & Gary, J. (2015) Saturday School: Implementing Project-Based Learning in an Urban School. Penn GSE Perspectives On Urban Education, 12(1)
Bas, G., & Beyhan, O. (2010). Effects on Multiple Intelligences Supported Project-Based Learning on Students’ Achievements Levels and Attitudes towards English Lesson. International Electronic Journal Of Elementary Education, 2(3), 365-386
Buck Institute of Education (2015). What is Project Based Learning (PBL)?
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