Project Based Learning

Teachers For Global Classrooms A Capstone Project

"If we teach today's students how we taught yesterday's, then we rob them of tomorrow"

                                                                                       

                                                                                                             -John Dewey 

Hello again, and welcome to another addition of Alex's education blog, where we continue to look into the world of education through a critical 21st century lens. In this entry, we will be exploring the idea of Project Based Learning, a 21st century concept that looks to revolutionize both teachers' and students' perspectives of educational possibilities and goals. Project Based Learning, as explained by the Buck Institution of Education is a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an engaging and complex question, problem, or challenge. It can also be described as a more comprehensive learning approach that is grounded in constructivist learning, content mastery and critical thinking (Drake et. al). This concept is also very beneficial for looking at 21st century current events and social issues, and having students work collaboratively to investigate and possibly solve these issues. The quote above, proclaimed by none other than John Dewey, one of the fathers of education himself, would be a strong advocate of Project Based Learning, as he promoted the idea of "learning by doing", which is highly evident throughout Project Based Learning.

Picture Acquired from ExamTime

In my classroom experience in elementary and high school, I personally never dealt with this type of learning mechanism, but believe it is very beneficial to our up and coming students. Many of the concepts in the picture above are important educational tools beyond our contemporary understanding of classroom functions and curriculums. Three in particular that I think work very well together would be "21st Century Skills", "Student Voice & Choice" and "Driving Question or Challenge". With out modern world constantly progressing and adapting, social issues such as LGBT rights and acceptance, issues of gun violence and many ethical dilemmas are prominent in our society. Project Based Learning can have students use these three concepts, as well as the remaining ones to investigate these types of progressive topics, and use real problem solving knowledge to learn how to approach the social and educational world of the 21st Century. As a future teacher, I would certainly look to implement Project Based Learning in my classroom by having students work in groups on different social topics and using problem solving mechanisms collaboratively to explore their topics, and convey them to the rest of the class and myself after in-depth inquiries.

Pinterest: Project Based Learning, from EduTopia

A great online resource for learning about Project Based Learning, is EduTopia, a site committed to a modern educational approach with information on innovative and useful educational tools. The website not only explains what Project Based Learning is, but offers experts opinions and insights on the benefits that PBL has to offer. In Engaging Children's Minds: The Project Approach, a novel specifically aimed at promoting Project Based Learning, and the positive attributes associated with it, it is said that "One of the major advantages of project work is that it makes school more like real life" (Chard & Katz). By incorporating real life concepts through a constructivist approach, students can see the relevance in their schooling to their own lives, and feel meaning in what they are learning. Research has demonstrated that students in project-based learning classrooms get higher scores than students in traditional classrooms (Marx et al., 2004; Rivet & Krajcik, 2004; William & Linn, 2003). If the mechanisms coincide with research, is it not time to reconsider our teaching mechanisms and impose a new and efficient way to empower our students?

We as educators need to maximize the potential of our students, and not only teach them valuable life lessons, but create a productive learning environment in which the students want to learn and succeed. Project Based Learning fulfills all of these criteria, and promotes a healthy and effective educational experience for our youth. The research shows it, the experts agree, and if it's my opinion is worth anything, I certainly agree too! Project Based Learning brings meaning to the classroom, and allows students to focus on issues that are not only relevant, but important to them as 21st Century citizens of this world. I will once again leave you with this creative video on Project Based Learning, further explaining how it can be implemented, understood and most all, effective in our classrooms!

Project Based Learning: Explained

Cheers For Now,

Alex Graham