Project-based Learning

I’ve learned so many things regarding the project-based learning approach. Parents, teachers, technology, and the community work hand in hand toward providing students with the real world experiences that will help and teach them to be aware and be involved in the place they live in. Project-based learning is any activity that involves students to study and interact with the real world around them. It can be a science fair or exhibit, field trip, a class in a garden, or any other learning activities that will address the multiple intelligences and learning styles of students.

Students learn to construct their own learning because they are provided with opportunities to choose and decide with the teacher on what project they want to do and how it will be assessed. On the process, they learn and discover new things, explore into places, and meet other people. A classroom now is not anymore dominated by a teacher who dictates everything a student needs to learn and do. It is already student-centered, meaning the teacher only acts as a facilitator of learning and students are responsible and work on their own learning.

Projects require EXTRA time, EXTRA money, EXTRA effort, and EXTRA attitude to accomplish it on time or even ahead of time. That's why a teacher should be EXTRA keen and sensitive to meet the needs of students so that these EXTRA's won't go wasted and will intrinsically motivate students to learn and accomplish things. Being a student myself, I feel a sense of joy and fulfillment after completing a task or project given by my teachers. No matter hard or unattainable a project may seem to be, in the end, I’ll find a way to finish and submit it on time. And in disbelief I just sigh and realize that I made it (haha) and I learned..a lot!

Learn more about Project-based Learning, vist the following websites:
>http://www.globalschoolnet.org/web/pbl/whatis.htm
>http://www.globalschoolnet.org/web/pbl/pblintro.htm
>http://edigitech.blogspot.com/2010/07/blogging-my-journey-module-1.html
> http://educate.intel.com/en/ProjectDesign/Design/ProjectCharacteristics/

FATIMA O. DAVID
EDIGITECH/WEDNESDAY/11:00-2:00PM