Project Based learning has been around for a long time, it is probable and possible that you engage in project based learning everyday, you just may not be aware that you are doing it! Project Based Learning involves students exploring real-world challenges and problems. Is that not what we as adults do every day?
From a Teacher’s perspective, it challenges the teacher to delve deep into the the NSW Board of Studies Syllabus for each subject and ask the question; How are these skills and content relevant to the real-world? How can I make this content real and relevant to our students? This is a challenge in itself as the Board of Studies requirements are extensive and are students have mandatory subjects to complete. Our teachers are rediscovering the joy of learning as they embrace a different way of teaching and learning and the new technologies in order to achieve this.
To be successful in the PBL environment, students are required to be motivated in order to participate in self directed learning. For the student, it means reading all the information you are presented with, follow instructions, complete individual tasks, complete group tasks, manage your time in order to meet deadlines and in essence embrace the fact that you are responsible for your own learning.
A majority of a students are enjoying and embracing this way of learning. They are powering through work, that in the past would have been “stretched” out by a teacher. Students who were once disengaged with college are finding themselves happy to come to college and actively participate in their learning. Students who are still finding their feet in this new learning environment, are being supported by their teachers and fellow classmates. We are only beginning to scratch the surface of the possibilities of PBL, and it is exciting!
Questions that our students are repeatedly asked is, are you proud of what you have achieved today? Could you have worked harder? What will you do differently tomorrow? Our students are pushed to beat their personal best every time they go out on the field to train or play, and therefore we ask our students to do the same in the classroom. Our students are encouraged to produce quality work and our teachers insist on it. If the work is not up to standard, students are asked go back and complete the task again. It is a hard lesson for our students to learn, but if they are not performing in the classroom, they do not get to perform on the pitch. Our teachers are instilling in our students the need to take pride in their work and the need to take your time to do your best work. This is a struggle for some students who have developed a habit of, “that’ll do!” It is also difficult for those students who have learnt to be invisible in the classroom, because this is no longer the case. However, like with training, consistency, persistence and communication is the key to overcoming this.
This clip, explains PBL so much better than I can!
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