U01a1-Blog on PBL

U01a1 Blog on PBL

While viewing all three examples that were included in this week’s viewing, I found many similarities between them. In From Worms to Wall Street, Appling Math Skill to a real World Problem, and March of the Monarch’s the circumstances and design of all three projects had one major common theme which was real life skills and application.  I thought this was really important because it seems that to many times in education today, we teach students concepts but do not show them real life application, so the students forget what they learned. The students played an important role in their education during each project.  Project based learning is student centered and made the students excited about learning.  The students showed increased engagement and knowledge by learning real life skills that they will use in everyday life.  Each video showed that project based learning can be used with students of all ages and levels.  During the projects students were required to communicate with their group members, outside community members, or students from around the world.  Students were making decisions over an extended period of time of about six weeks per project with a final assessment at the end.  Technology came into play with all three projects because students were using the computer to design flyers, make blue prints, communicate with others, and to record their final presentations that served as their final assessments. Adding technology increased student engagement during each project.  Throughout each project the students were faced with decisions and teamwork scenarios which forced them to work complications out which is a skill that they will need to succeed in the future.

 In reading Reinventing Project-Based Learning stated “Projects are worth the effort (Boss-Krauss, p.6)” and the three teachers expressed that projects were more work for them but worth it in the end to see their students excited about learning.  Teachers seem to be a facilitator in project based learning and also a student.  It seemed that many times the teachers were learning along with the students.  Teachers also served as a guide to guide the students instead of dictate what the students did while working.  The one thing that all the teachers agreed on was the project based learning covers state standards and took learning across the curriculum including language arts, science, history, social studies, and math. 

It was a good feeling to watch students excited about learning because it seems like students are pushed so hard and not focused on having fun and with projects students are learning and having fun at the same time.      

 

References:

Boss, S., & Krauss, J. (2007). Reinventing project-based learning. (1st ed.). Washington,D.C.: International Society for Technology in Education.

Curtis, D. (0). Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/newsome-park-elementary-project-learning-video

Curtis, D. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/march-monarchs

Ellis, K. (0). Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/mountlake-terrace-geometry-real-world-video