Project based learning
is powered by contemporary technologies and is a strategy that is focused on
changing the traditional classroom and transforming it into a project based
classroom. The focus is making learning
more engaging and interesting for students because it is transforming from
teacher centered lessons to student centered lessons where they have more
control of their learning and when that happens they are more engaged and
interested in their learning. The
teacher is no longer the concept expert, as students pursue their won questions
to create their own meaning. One thing
to keep in mind as one is on the journey through project based learning is that
it can be challenging or take some time to adjust to but it is well worth it as
many positive outcomes occur like student behaviors. The overall benefits of project based
learning is student behaviors change, students are engaged and interested in
learning, students have control of their learning, they are learning problem
solving skills, team work skills are gained, and much more. Benefits for students who are participating
in project based learning is simply that they now have more control of their
learning. Issues are simply that teachers
need to be willing to let go some of their control and pass it on to their
students and be willing to add projects into their lessons and pulling back on
some of the lessons or keeping them short to allow students the opportunity to
explore and develop their own questions to explore and become the expert on. The New Technology High was an example of the
new technology model because as they had discussed in the reading the school
incorporated technology into the lessons and gave students the access to it
which gave students a choice and chance to own their learning and with that
they thought deeper into it because it was of more interest to them and from
those opportunities they had while at this school they are more prepared for
the next step in their life. I have seen
project based learning in action as Scott Durham was a teacher who made the
switch to it and actually was a teacher at the high school I went to and my
brother had him as a teacher. My brother
enjoyed the learning style that Durham used in his classroom. Durham is a wonderful teacher and he has
adapted and taken on the challenge of changing his classroom from a traditional
to a project based classroom. At the
time I did not know this is what it was considered but as I was reading the
chapter I realized it and was able to make the connection. Even if project based learning is challenging
for teachers to adapt to it is still worth the challenge and the outcomes are
positive and worth the time and effort.
Once I have a classroom I will do all I can to make it a project based
learning environment and will try to get other teachers in the building to also
make the switch if they haven’t already.
I read that Scott Durham was in a Michigan school but was not sure which one. That is very cool that you brother had him as a teacher. I would be curious as to how he compared the project based learning style to his other classroom experiences.
ReplyDeleteMy concern with incorporating Project based learning was meeting our Common Core Standards. I wonder if it was easier to incorporate the CCS in a high school classroom. They only cover one subject so they focus on a particular set of standards.
In the end, I totally agree with you that when students have control of their learning they will be more interested in the subject matter. Being more interested/invested in their learning has positive outcomes in behavior and the depth of knowledge they obtain.
I agree with you Michelle! I think that this approach definitely gives students more control over their learning. I think that students will be more interested in their learning. Students will also be more engaged and more willing to learn material. I hope that someday when I become a teacher I can incorporate this style of teaching into my classroom. I want students to come to school ready to learn daily. Clearly, technology is a hit for students, so why not use it to benefit the learning of students? I think that’s cool that you know of a teacher in high school that used this approach. I do think that it will take time for students to adjust, but is clear that there are several benefits to this approach. I also agree with the fact that it might be challenging for some teachers to let students have this type of control over their learning. Teachers have standards they have to meet, so I can see why this would be difficult for them. Although, the more that this approach is used, researched, collaborated on, etc. I think the more beneficial it will be.
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