Project-Based
Learning is a powerful learning tool that not only benefits students, but
students actually enjoy it. When beginning to implement PBL it is important to
keep an open mind. The teacher has to be willing to change things up and look
into the technology and projects that are available. It may be hard to switch
to giving control to the students, but it will pay off in the end. PBL creates
authentic learning situations. Students can get hands on experience that will
allow the lessons to be embedded in ongoing projects. When learning is set up
this way the knowledge gained sticks with students better, and allows them to
think back years later to what they learned. This makes a big difference from
the old method of students completing worksheets only to throw them away later.
Students may not remember every little detail but the experiences they gain
give them the tools to go back and find any information the need that may have
been forgotten. Students also learn to rely on each other and work as a team.
Since teachers take a backseat role in this model, students are learning the
importance of working things out together.
It may be hard to
start Project-Based Learning if no other teachers in the school follow this
approach, especially because it is so different. The culture in the school
really makes a big difference in how learning is approached and how PBL will
fit into the classroom. New Technology High was a good example of how the New
Technology Model could become the culture and norm in a school. Students there
know their teachers, have that teacher support, but also know how to take
control of their own learning. Students there are succeeding because their
school made the choice to not only give them access to technology but to fully
incorporate it in lessons. Students coming out of this school will be prepared
to go out and problem solve in the real world, and work together to come up
with creative solutions. Overall, Project-Based Learning is an innovative new
approach to learning that allows students to take control of their learning.
I agree with you Emily that Project Based Learning is a powerful learning tool that not only benefits the students but that the students actually really enjoy it as well. I think having an open mind with project based learning will help teachers be more confident with it and it will allow them to be more open with giving students more control. Something that will help me to implement the Project Based Learning is the fact that knowledge gained from the students sticks with them better and allows them to remember and think back to it later on. That shows that if the learning is moving into their long term memory then it is well worth the change in teaching. My brother had a teacher in high school that I know have learned used Project Based Learning and if you ask my brother something about that class or what he learned he is able describe or tell you in good detail. I found it helpful to be able to make this connection. I think that if a teacher is interested in Project Based Learning then they should try to get a few other teachers to implement it as well so that they have each other to talk to about it, and then maybe the rest of the teacher will also start to implement it if they are able to see it action. I am curious to learn more about it and will do all I can to use it in my classroom once I graduate and am teaching in a classroom.
ReplyDeleteHi Emily!
ReplyDeleteI loved how you touched on the importance of teachers maintaining an "open mind." This is something that I feel I have seen many teachers not do to the disadvantage of their students. One of the greatest things about PBL is the ability to allow students to research, work and express themselves in the ways that best suit them. If the teacher is not flexible and receptive to this, they will miss so much in terms of assessing the students' knowledge and approach. As you said, this is definitely a difficult thing to do and may cause other teachers to resist. Forming great support from other teachers implementing these strategies will be key in making it successful in schools that it is not prominent. :)
-Sabrina