Project-Based Learning (PBL) through the use of today’s technologies is a shift away from the traditional classroom. It changes the teacher’s role to become more of an organizer and helper, instead of spitting out information. With project-based learning students can find answers to their own questions with just a click of the mouse. Also this type of teaching style integrates every subject into one project that usually lasts a few weeks or a few months. The most important part of this approach is that students love it. They love to learn and are excited to work on their real-life experience projects that will prepare them for the real world. Teachers never have to answer the question, “Why are we doing this?” because the students know how it is applied to the real world. Another important skill that students learn with this type of teaching style is how to work together in groups to reach a common goal. Often times these projects are in groups or even the entire class working together.
Project-based learning is being practiced all over the world. Entire schools in the United States are transforming to this approach as well as in Scotland. Also in Singapore project-based learning is a national goal. It is encouraged with the motto: “Teach Less, Learn More.”
Another important thing from Chapter 1 is that it discusses how teachers are learning too. With project-based learning it isn’t the teacher just talking and talking trying to find ways to keep the students’ attention, it is interactive and fun for both the teacher and the students. Since this is a fairly new approach many teachers may be unfamiliar with facilitating a project-based learning classroom. So many teachers are learning with the students on how to make these projects more affective, precise, and relative to the real world. There was an example from a teacher Michael McDowell who builds his entire curriculum around the PBL approach. He made the point that he never remembered what he learned in Biology when he was in school, but with PBL the students will never forget the experience.
Finally, the chapter discusses how to prepare for a change to a project-based learning curriculum. It sets up the rest of the book by saying that it will help teachers with important aspects like designing, implementing, and assessing projects.
I really like the motto "Teach Less, Learn More". This gives me an incentive to learn more about the Project Based Learning but as you have mentioned, as well as the text, this can be a unfamiliar approach to teaching as it is fairly new.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the statement about how the teachers roles change.Stduents do like the PBL appproach, they are exceited to learn and that is all we can ask for. I also like the motto "Teach Less Learn More"
ReplyDeleteI really like how you talked about how PBL is integrating a variety of subjects into one lesson. I think that this is such a great idea because we all know that not all students love every subject. By integrating them in this way we can help students who are not typically good at math, or sciences by giving them hands on projects to help them learn better. I also agree with the teach less learn more motto because I remember when I was a student I definitely learned more from classes where we did hands on projects rather than classes where a teacher lectured and took notes the entire time.
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