Project based learning is a common pedagogical approach which requires students to learn through projects that provide real life scenarios. Unlike the traditional model of sitting in front of the lecturer and listening to him/her delivering a lecture, PBL would enable students to learn more by doing so.
To incorporate such PBL, there is need to change the mentality, time and activities of the students and other stakeholders involved, nonetheless the benefits that accrue to the learners justify the exercise.
In this post, we will consider starting ideas for your own PBL project and project based learning online schools for you to embark on a successful PBL journey.
Driving Questions To Engage Learners
PBL starts with a question, that is, the focus is not on the subject or content area at the onset of the process. Teachers present broad, overarching “big ideas” questions that encourage inquiry and frame the investigations.
For instance, as opposed to defining an ecosystem unit, driving questions such as ‘How could we design a sustainable community?’ encourage innovative approaches to projects.
Students then discover answers through them, such as through projects like creating an environmentally friendly neighborhood. Driving questions work to engage students’ inherent curiosities and provide the framework for rich inquiries.
Student Voice And Choice
Compared to conventional classroom learning where the teacher has complete authority over the class, PBL shifts some of that responsibility. Finally, the role of the teachers is to guide the students in defining their projects from the driving questions provided.
In the community design project, some students may opt to work on models, while others work on brochures or presentation. The process of the project does not remain the same when done for the second time. Voicing the students and making choices are important in giving them control over what they want to learn.
Prompting Reflectiveness And Revision In The Writing Process
PBL promotes self- and peer assessment as students need to identify good and weak aspects within a group. Students employ driving questions as a frame to assess how projects depict an understanding of the concepts discussed in the class.
When a student is evaluating a peer’s work, he or she might wonder, “Where are sustainable water and energy systems depicted here?”
Reflections of this nature feed into the revision of end products. Similar to actual professional tasks, PBL prepares students to work on drafts in progressive iterations rather than a one-time shot at an assignment.
Knit Traditions Beyond Classrooms
PBL assigns students purposeful projects unlike worksheets that are designed to be discarded once assessment is made on them. It is a great idea for students as their created ecosystems could be of help in the current deliberation on the use of land within communities.
Clients may even work with brochures created by courses because of importance of project based learning. As the perspective broadens beyond the school environment, motivation increases.
Furthermore, it is important to stress that driving questions addressed to different audiences challenge as well as develop the process of thinking and communication skills.
Scaffolding With Structure And Support For This Assignment
Although PBL’s methodology is student centered, the process can feel strange at first for instructors used to teacher-centered approaches. Successful PBL support requires defining the stages of the project, contrasting instruction, and offering practical helps.
While encouraging students to go their own way, building their own flights, educators equip them with maps for the right journey. In the case of community designs, the teachers may moderate the students midway to ensure they offer their feedback on the work.
Additionally, the teachers may gather some examples of good and completed projects. Ironically, while PBL offers numerous opportunities for learners, teachers perform several crucial roles facilitating meaningful work.
Conclusion
It is a form of learning that replaces regular lectures with real-life experiences, which makes it easier for students to gain better understandings of these concepts as they practice.
While implementing PBL may require more planning than the traditional style of teaching, watching curiosity turn into innovation and listening to animated student debates makes it worth it.
Driving questions ignite passion, voice and choice encourage students to take responsibility, reflection keeps track of development, authenticity reins intention, and gradual progression.
