Technology and Project-Based Learning

Project based learning addresses the age-old question, “How am I going to use this in the real world”?  Project based learning is born out the inquisitiveness of the students participating. 

Project based learning shifts from teacher directed learning to student centered learning.  It is especially effective when working with students of varied levels (even within the grade level you teach) and can meet the differentiated needs of those students.  It is especially effective in reaching the gifted students who most generally already know the basics of the curriculum and need to be further challenged and engaged. 

In the video the students were “traveling” by cruise ship to Africa or an airplane to Brazil.  The rest was born out of the information necessary to actually get there to explore each of the countries.    

The students are energized because they are actually learning by doing and exploring websites and interacting with the problem and solution.  They are not just reading out of a book and writing down answers on worksheets.  They are continually learning new content and problem-solving skills as they progress through the project.  It is an awesome way to integrate all subjects into one and to give purpose to each activity.  Kids love role-playing and dressing up and a learning environment like this, gives them continuous opportunities to do so.  I love the passports, and the computers made from boxes, and the airplane control panel; all made by the students.  They also had to learn about airports, and travel, and customs and how to interact with people of other countries and cultures.  Not only did they have to use math to figure things out, they also had to actually construct the props that went with the simulation. 

Technology can take them on a virtual field trip and the ability to “travel” to an endless number of places that they would not be able to go to otherwise.  The internet also gives them the opportunity to gather relevant and current information, unlike that of an encyclopedia.  The SMARTboard is an excellent tool not only to project information, but to interact with the lessons and the internet as part of the lesson.  When children are introduced to the endless possibilities that technology can provide them, I think that they come to expect to be continuously connected.  A lifelong learner is someone who constantly is intrigued and interesting in finding out new things.  Today, it is much easier to pursue one’s interests, having access to the internet and the myriad of technological advances.  They can produce video, written, and blog/glog projects and share their learning with the world.  I wish that we could create these kinds of environments in all of our schools and give our students real purpose in learning especially in this technological rich world in which we live.  Education should provide students with the current resources available so as to produce “world changers.”  We cannot keep up with the rest of the world, if our students have to wait to graduate and get a job to participate in the real world.