PROJECT-BASED
LEARNING
Best Practices
Tara Nolan-James
Project-based learning is an instructional strategy in which students investigate ideas using critical and creative thinking skills to produce a product. Student learning is organized around projects, which are complex tasks that are driven by students in design, problem solving, and decision making. Real world skills are actively explored and connected to learning.
What is project-based learning?
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Projects are central to the curriculum.
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Focused on questions or "problems" that drive the central concepts of the subject.
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Involve students in constructive investigation.
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Student-driven.
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Projects are realistic, not school-like.
It allows students various options for taking in information and processing ideas, and showing what they have learned.
Characteristics of project-based learning
Project-based learning leads to differentiated instruction
5 Keys to Rigorous Project-Based Learning
This video discusses the 5 elements needed to result in deeper understanding resulting in students that are self-directed learners. The 5 elements are:
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Real World Connection
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Core to Learning
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Structured Collaboration
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Student Driven
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Multifaceted Assessment
What does the research say?
There has been consensus that project-based learning not only causes significant increase in academic achievement across the boards, but also positively influences student behavior and motivation. According to this report on the research of project-based learning, "the motivational effect of project-based instruction may lead to increased student attendance, attention, and engagement during the (non-project) periods students spend learning basic skills." (p. 13). Furthermore, there have been numerous studies of successful project-based learning endeavors. Below are links to articles that have seen positive changes after implementation of this practice.
This British math study compares two schools, one which used a traditional textbook approach, and the other a project-based approach.
This 8th grade History study shows that students received greater benefits through the use of project-based learning programs than those who did not.
