What are the Benefits of Project-Based Learning?
Project-based learning is a student-centered, experiential approach to learning. Students are engaged in projects, based on their interests and passions, that allow them to explore the world and develop the skills they need for college and careers.
The benefits of project-based learning are many. Students develop a deep understanding of the world in which they live, a sense of curiosity, and a willingness to explore new subjects in depth.
Benefits of Project-Based Learning:
Affiliation: Teamwork plays an important part in the PBL programs. Not only do students learn to work in groups—giving their perspective, listening, and working through an issue if it arises—they also build positive relationships with members of the community.
Problem Solving: With the use of peer-to-peer learning, learners can work collaboratively on real-world problems in their communities. They also learn better from failures and are more likely to start over when necessary.
Creativity: Innovative students can apply their creative thinking skills to come up with new product designs and project ideas.
Self-Confidence: Students can find their voice and take pride in what they do, boosting their agency and sense of purpose.
Critical Thinking: Students learn to think critically & creatively, asking questions and coming up with possible solutions for their project
Authentic Assessment: PBL allows students to show their capabilities in different ways which include assessing them project-based rather than just by pure assessment. They can use different skill sets, including working either alone or with a group.
Promotes Love of Learning: Project-based learning allows students to choose their curriculum. They can adapt the curriculum they're most interested in and build off of that as their natural interest grows. In addition to learning and memorizing facts, students develop research skills and deepen their knowledge about the topic when it's something they care about.
Social Responsibility: In the real world, people usually work together to solve problems. That's why it is important to learn how to work together in a team or group, which is a necessary skill for life.
Challenges of Project-Based Learning
PBL is a dramatic contrast for many teachers to the traditional education they received. Change takes time and is rarely without trepidation and difficulties. When we contemplate the kinds of educational experiences we desire for our modern learners, however, it becomes clear that the classic instructional approach falls far short.
But the truth is that you can overcome these difficulties. Students and community members can all contribute good problems or suggestions. Teachers can go through the steps required to solve an issue and use those stages as project-learning activities instead of lectures and book learning. Instead of designing a large project, break it down into smaller pieces with frequent checkpoints incorporated into the program to make the learning process more manageable. Authentic assessments can be constructed instead of a standard summative test by consulting with experts in the field about what a presentation should include.
It's Time to consider Project-Based Learning!
What does it mean to learn? What are the conditions that allow us to learn the most deeply and effectively? Doing, investigating, and reflecting, are the most effective ways for most of us to learn. Project-based learning brings the basic qualities of what we value most about education to the forefront of our formal learning environments.
PBL helps students prepare for the real world because that is normally learned.