To Teach Important Skills (and Boost Test Scores) Try Project-Based Learning [View All]

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By Dr. Yvonne Marie Andres, co-founder of Global SchoolNet

...According to the report Learning for the 21st Century, “today’s education system faces irrelevance unless we bridge the gap between how students live and how they learn.” To address this need, a growing number of innovative education systems around the United States and worldwide are engaging their students in project-based learning. Project-based learning, often called PBL, is an instructional methodology in which students learn important skills by doing actual projects, applying core academic skills and creativity to solve authentic problems in real world situations. Students use a wide range of tools and the culminating projects are tangible and observable “artifacts” - that serve as evidence of what they've learned. Student-produced videos, artwork, reports, photography, music, model construction, live performances, action plans, digital stories and websites are all examples of PBL artifacts.

Project-based learning is based on the “constructivist” learning theory, which finds that learning is deeper and more meaningful when students are involved in constructing their own knowledge. Students are given the opportunity (within the required content framework) to select a topic that interests them and then are responsible for creating their project plan. Rather than a lecturer, typically, the teacher’s role is that of an academic advisor, mentor, facilitator, “task master” and evaluator.

Learning Projects for Every Age and Subject Area

Project-based learning opportunities are diverse, challenging and innovative -- ranging from understanding terrorism, the mathematics of music or exploring innovative waste management solutions, to creative story telling, online safety and studying global warming. There are learning projects for every age and to support every subject area and include numerous implementation models for project-based learning. Students can work either offline or online, and can work alone on individual projects -- or collaboratively as part of a project team. And, with the availability of the Internet and technology tools, their project partners can be across the table or around the globe. Students can interact with one another in meaningful educational, cultural, and scientific projects that provide deep learning experiences.

According to study conducted by the Center for Research in Educational Policy (1999), PBL students improved test scores in all subject areas over a two-year period, out performing control schools by 26%. Compared with learning solely from textbooks, this approach has many benefits for students because it involves critical thinking, knowledge application, time management, organizational skills and increased student responsibility for their own learning.

more: http://www.care2.com/causes/education/blog/teaching-students-management-skills-1/