Project Based Learning

Project Based Learning

A dynamic way to provide learning with hands on tasks.

      Before watching this interesting video on Project Based Learning (PBL), I thought of it simply as another educational dynamic trend. However, after watching the video, I realized that PBL goes beyond the basic, because it as a way to expand a student's line of inquiry, letting them think out of the box by allowing them to reflect on each working stage of the learning process. It also gives them freedom in the the selection of sources for information, and it opens up creativity to develop or design tasks to solve. Additionally it allows students to learn from their mistakes and to come up with new ideas by testing or proving theories to make learning as a true acquisition of their knowledge and to share it to their community. According to Vicki Davis, a Georgia high school teacher who is cofounder of the award- winning “Flat Classroom Project,” students must study upon a real- life problem in order to get the a true understanding and skills needed to survive and succeed in the real world.
I do believe I am incorporating PBL in my unit planners because I follow the MYP Design Cycle which provides hands on experience and alternatives in technology. “Project learning is also an effective way to integrate technology into the curriculum. A typical project can easily accommodate computers and the Internet, as well as interactive whiteboards, global-positioning-system (GPS) devices, digital still cameras, video cameras, and associated editing equipment.” (Edutopia Staff, 2008).
At the school I work in I have seen examples done in different classes that integrate diverse disciplines. I worked closely with a Popcorn Project, in which three subjects were involved: science, math and technology. Science taught students mass and physical and chemical changes and the importance of recycling, math skilled students on units of measurements and package designs and technology (me) was involve on the visual presentation of their findings using web design pages, movies, radio station, podcasts, poster designs etc.

Boss, Suzie. "Project - Based Learning: What Experts Say." Edutopia. George

     Lucas   Educational Foundation, 20 Sept. 2011. Web. 26 Apr. 2013.

     <http://www.edutopia.org/project-based-learning-e txperts>.

Edutopia, Staff. "Why Teach with Project-Based Learning?: Providing Students

     With a Well-Rounded Classroom Experience." Edutopia. George Lucas

     Educational Foundation, 28 Feb. 2008. Web. 26 Apr. 2013.

     <http://www.edutopia.org/project-learning-introduction>.

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