P-+Project-Based+Learning

====The George Lucas Foundation describes Project Based Learning as a, “dynamic approach to teaching in which students explore real-world problems and challenges. With this type of active and engaged learning, students are inspired to obtain a deeper knowledge of the subjects they're studying.”====
 * ===1.	Define and describe the theory and its key features (5 pts)===**

** Key Features of Project Based Learning **

 * Student's Role ||Engaged participant, cooperative problem-solver, intrinsically motivated||
 * Teacher's Role ||Coach, Facilitator, Co-learner ||
 * Instructional Materials ||Authentic, real-world, problem-based, relevant to learner||
 * Assessment ||Portfolio, well-documented process of learning, student involved in assessment||

**2.	Discuss and explain how the theory operates (10 pts**)
====Through authentic open-ended projects, students are challenged to produce an end product. The teacher acts as a facilitator to the students. They provide guidance and a variety of resources for the students to use to produce some type of artifact. The projects are usually collaborative and promote problem solving. Students are engaged in research and hands-on activities to gain knowledge instead of the usual text book learning. Assessment for project based lessons are often more meaningful to students. Students self-assess their final products with help from checklists and peer discussion. ====

[|Great Website Describing Project Based Learning in Detail]
[|Lesson Plan Template for Project Based Lessons]

A Day in the Life of Project Based Learning
media type="custom" key="2526333"

Video Examples of Project Based Learning
===**4.	Analyze and discuss the theory’s application to instruction (i.e., its importance to learning theory, its strengths for instruction, its weaknesses for instruction, what it does well and not well) (20 pts)**=== Project Based learning has had a profound impact on those classrooms that have used the learning theory to structure their classroom activities. Through Project Based lessons students can develop skills that are essential for positive social, academic, and emotional growth. As students complete Project Based lessons they are challenged to problem-solve real world issues that are relevant to them. Project Based lessons move away from teacher-centered, single subject lessons to more authentic, integrated, and student-centered activities. These types of lessons have been proven to develop a deeper understanding of the information as well as foster an interest in the process of researching and learning. Using a variety of sources, students work collaboratively and individually to develop and test ideas. This hands-on method for education is very vital for today’s students. It helps engage students who might regularly not be interested in academic topics.

Overall, project-based learning is a widely accepted teaching method, however, it is less often actually practiced in the classroom. This is due to the time and flexibility needed to complete Project-based learning assignment. To help avoid this the teacher must be well organized when developing rubrics and guidelines to assist students in completing their final products. Teachers must also work to acclimate their students to Project-based lesson methods because they are so different from conventional lessons.


 * Strengths||Weaknesses||
 * Increased student responsibility for learning||More time and need for flexibility in curriculum (Weakness in school's with mandatory paced curriculum)||
 * Promotes real-world problem solving||Hard to accommodate No Child Left Behind Standardized Testing preparation||
 * Creates citizen through cooperation and team-work ||Greater need for organized classroom management||
 * Proven the engage students in active learning|| ||
 * Technology and multi-subject integration || ||
 * Encourages students to plan, revise, and correct|| ||

[|Studies Validate Project Based Learning]

 * A growing body of academic research supports the use of project-based learning in schools as a way to engage students, cut absenteeism, boost cooperative learning skills, and improve test scores.

**5.	Give your personal understanding of the theory, why you chose it to analyze, what it means for you or your practice, etc. (10 pts)**
I chose to do my mid-term on Project Based learning because it was a teaching theory we used during my undergraduate education. While student teaching, we were required to create and guide three week to month long projects that were based on Project Based learning theory. It was a wonderful experience to see students exploring, cooperating, researching, problem-solving, and engaging in activities that were relevant to them. I understand the validity of this theory due to it's profound impact on the students involved. As I witnessed the students work to create the final product of our Project based learning project, it was apparent that students were gaining a more in-depth understanding of the material covered. Researching this subject has made me even more of a supporter of Project Based Learning. I love the authentic, engaging, and research based methods Project Based learning produces. I will work hard to incorporate Project Based Learning techniques in my future classroom.

Resources:

Why Teach With Project Learning?: Providing Students With a Well-Rounded Classroom Experience http://www.edutopia.org/project-learning-introduction

PBL Research Summary: Studies Validate Project-Based Learning http://www.edutopia.org/project-based-learning-research

Voyages of Discovery: Five-Year-Olds Explore Through PBL http://www.edutopia.org/beginning-journey

A Day in the Life of Project Based Learning http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=c88f7e75d968443eb49b

Created by Corrie Hill October 2008