Project-Based

Learning Training 2007

What is the problem with current education

methods?

Despite the fact that high test scores are a poor indicator of future success,

governments continue to push teachers into test based educational approaches.

In the 1960s, Dr. Howard Barrows at McMaster University found that despite the fact his medical students scored very high on standardized tests, they were unable to diagnose patients.

Meanwhile, businesses are telling educators that industrial age classrooms are not preparing our students for the post-industrial economy.

“The great end of education is to discipline rather than furnish the mind; to train it to the use of its own powers, rather than fill it with the accumulation of others.”

--Tryon Edwards

“The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery.”

--Mark Van Doren

How do we then create a rigorous, relevant, student–centered learning environment that better prepares all

students for the 21st Century?

The Project-Based Learning Solution

THE PBL SOLUTION

OLD SCHOOL

Teacher has monopoly on information

Minimal student participation in the problem solving process

Learning is not related to other content areas or real world situations

Students work primarily alone Student feedback is minimal

and often not geared toward improvement

THE PBL SOLUTION

PBL HIGH SCHOOL

Information is accessible from many sources

Students are engaged in content based problems and projects

Content is integrated with other subjects and real world issues

Student feedback is detailed and used for improvement

Student is expected to work with others

What Is Project-Based Learning?

WHAT PROJECT-BASED LEARNING?

Project-Based Learning is a comprehensive instructional approach to engage students in sustained, cooperative investigation.

In project-based learning, students work in groups to solve challenging problems that are authentic, curriculum-based, and often interdisciplinary

They gather information from a variety of sources and synthesize, analyze, and derive knowledge from it.

WHAT PROJECT-BASED LEARNING?

Their learning is inherently valuable because it's connected to something real and involves adult skills such as collaboration and reflection.

At the end, students demonstrate their newly acquired knowledge and are judged by how much they've learned and how well they communicate it.

Throughout this process, the teacher's role is to guide and advise, rather than to direct and manage, student work.

WHAT PROJECT-BASED LEARNING?

Project-Based Learning involves students pursuing solutions to nontrivial problems by: Asking and refining questions Debating ideas Making predictions Designing plans and/or experiments Collecting and analyzing data Drawing conclusions Communicating their ideas and findings to others Asking new questions

(Blumenfeld et al., 1991)

Some considerations

Does it fit within our current curriculum framework?

Programming

Outcome Reporting

The role of students

THE ROLE OF STUDENTS

Students play an integral part in both the direction of the learning and the classroom activities. Some points to note:

It is important for students to have input in the

direction of their learning.

This engages the students in the learning process

because they have an interest in what is going on in the

classroom.

THE ROLE OF STUDENTS

Students need to be able to exhibit multiple

intelligences.

Projects should cater towards the presentation of

different learning styles.

The end solution should be authentic and concrete.

Students are provided with opportunities to interact

with other group members building work orientated

relationships.

The role of teachers

THE ROLE OF TEACHERS

Group student appropriately

Orient students to the goals of the project

Organize the project daily by defining the scope of inquiry

Clarify everything

Monitor and regulate student behavior

Manage the workflow

Evaluate success and reflect on learning

The role of technology

THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY

Technology is the fundamental tool in facilitating PBL. Some tools used include:

Emails Forums Online journals Simulations Online quizzes Video editing Graphic presentations Web site creation Online databases and museums. Virtual reality

Examples