Project-Based Learning

"One of the major advantages of project work is that it makes school more like real life." - Sylvia Chard, professor of elementary education, University of Alberta

     Project-based learning is an educational philosophy based on the concept of 'learning by doing'. Although project-based learning is a 21st century buzz-word, 'learning by doing' or 'experiential learning' is as old as education itself. From early First Nations to Socrates and Aristotle and to more contemporary Dewey and Kolb, experiential learning is a tried and true method. Project-based learning gives an end goal or purpose to these experiences.

My experiences with project-based learning:

Heick, Terry. (2013). The Difference Between Doing Projects
And Learning through Projects. Retrieved from
http://www.teachthought.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/
project-based-learning-versus-doing-projects.jpg

     Though limited, I have had some experience on the student end of project-based learning. An environmental unit in high school biology was taught using this method. Students worked in pairs to examine one way human's negatively impact the environment and several ways that we can eliminate or reverse this impact. Every pair had to select a different environmental issue and present it to the class at the end of the unit. By doing this, we not only covered curriculum requirements for understanding a wide variety of issues but also learned (and enacted) ways to combat them. This project achieved many of the aims of project-based learning; meeting curriculum requirements, community involvement, real-life and relevant issues and student-driven learning.
  

The proven advantages of project-based learning are numerous:
- Improved retention of information
- Better performance on standardized tests
- Improved problem solving
- Develop collaboration skills
- More positive student attitudes toward learning
- Inderdisciplinary learning
- Community involvement
- Real life application
The video by The Buck Institute of Education explains some of these benefits.

So how do you do it?
     Project-based learning requires detailed preparation, modifications and reflection. Edutopia has a clear guide for implementing and refining project-based learning which is summarized here. The process begins by determining a large question or task that is relevant and important for your students. Next, the teacher creates a plan for the project which includes molding the project to curriculum, available resources, the community and other subject areas. Next, create a schedule. It should be determined when the project should be done and what work time will be available; the teacher should also set deadlines for smaller steps to keep students on track. The teacher will monitor the progress of students and adjust the parameters or due date as needed; this stage will also include teaching skills that students need along the way (research skills, note taking, information processing and subject specific skills). Both the teacher and students will assess the outcome at each step and after the final submission; encourage self-assessment when possible. Finally, the students should reflect on the experience. Did they struggle as a group? What did they learn? What would they do differently if they were to do it again? Both teachers and students can use this information in the next project. By following these steps, project-based learning can be applied in a variety of classrooms and contexts.

Luca, Jenny. (2012, Oct. 19) PBL Learning Cycle.
Professional Learning Practice. Retrieved from
http://plpnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/PBL-300x274.png

Further Resources

Edutopia resources:
http://www.edutopia.org/project-based-learning
http://www.edutopia.org/project-based-learning-guide-implementation
https://www.pinterest.com/edutopia/we-3-pbl/
Experiential learning:
http://firstnationspedagogy.ca/experiential.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Experiential_learning





References:
Boss, Suzie. Edutopia: Project-Based Learning: What Experts Say. Retreived from http://www.edutopia.org/project-based-learning-experts
Buck Institute of Education. (2010, December 9) Video. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMCZvGesRz8&spfreload=10
Edutopia: How Does Project-Based Learning Work? Retrieved from www.edutopia.org/project-based-learning-guide-implementation 
First Nations Pedagogy: Experiential. Retrieved from http://firstnationspedagogy.ca/experiential.html
Heick, Terry. (2013). The Difference Between Doing Projects And Learning through Projects