The problem:
We have all heard it or maybe even said it, "today we are going to start working on a project". Those are the words that no high-school really wants to hear. As teachers we tend to think that assigning the students a project is an amazing idea to push for student centered learning and develop these "21st century skills" which are pushed so heavily. What we don't stop to think about is how these projects might actually be developing these skills; if we actually think about it, they really aren't.We give the students a topic and put them in groups to answer a question that we pose. Sure, the students may work in groups for the in class time that we give them to work, but just how often do they really work together outside of class? Are they really developing critical thinking skills or are they just using google to find quick answers?
This week for my writing I have decided to focus on two of our readings for class, The Main Course, Not Dessert: How are Students Reaching 21st Century Goals? With Project Based Learning by John Larmer and John Mergendoller, and 8 Essentials for Project Based Learning also by John Larmer and John Mergendoller.
The Solution:
As we move forward in education, we realize more and more that students do not just want to be told what to do and then go out and do it. Students are wanting to be able to question what they are doing and try things based on their questions. In the article 8 Essentials for Project based Learning, they discuss, you guessed it, 8 different areas which all projects you assign your student should have. these 8 essentials include:
- Significant content
- A need to know
- A driving question
- Student choice and voice
- 21st century skills
- Inquiry and innovation
- Feedback and revision
- Publicly presented product
How will I use Project Based Learning?
During my student teaching semester in the spring, I plan to use project based learning in my Wildlife class, I want the students to have a project that they can own and be proud of. I plan on bringing in the DCNR and game commission in to help out with whatever project I decide. At this moment, I am still working on what that project will be, but I am looking through this list of possible projects to see what I decide. I plan to use these 8 essentials to guide overall design of the project.
Matt,
ReplyDeleteThis is your best blog post yet! Well done!
Here is a challenge question: What is the difference between project based Learning and problems based learning?
If I'm thinking properly, project based learning is the students learning through guided work to come up with a decided answer, while problems based learning is focusing more on posing a problem to the students and giving them the opportunity to solve that problem using critical thinking and cooperative skills. Sometimes the lines between the two could potentially cross depending how you design the project. Correct?
DeleteMatt,
ReplyDeleteAwesome grasp on PBL. It's great to see your understanding of the importance of including outside sources of knowledge (DCNR) into the mix, as well as focusing on developing real-world skills students will need in their future careers. These are such vital components when designing authentic PBL. I'm excited to see what you do with PBL in the future. I've had extensive training/experience with Proj./Prob-based Learning, I'd be glad to serve as a resource to you as you design PBL in your future classrooms. Keep up the great work!