PBL and Student Learning - Week 5

It was interesting to watch the video “Beginning the journey Five-year-olds drive their own PBL projects” and witness kindergarten students who are so engaged in learning. Personally, I believe that these students are motivated to learn because problem-based learning addresses their natural curiosity and allows them to engage in activities that have meaning. For example, as mentioned in the video, students in this particular classroom are allowed to pick the theme for each lesson. Once the theme is established, the teacher guides student learning by providing the resources necessary to complete meaningful activities. Students are interested and engaged from the beginning of the lesson because they have ownership of the entire activity. In this respect, problem-based learning allows teachers to make learning activities authentic. In order to complete each lesson, students are required to use investigative problem-solving, critical thinking, and basic reading, writing, and math skills.

As demonstrated in the video, teachers have the opportunity to enhance student learning through the use of classroom Smartboards and additional technology. Because Smartboards and other technology tools can be interactive, students have the opportunity to manipulate and take charge of their learning. This sense of ownership and the ability to demonstrate that they can be successful learners encourages students and prepares them to continue on the path of lifelong learning. In addition, utilizing technology in the classroom makes learning easier and much more fun.    

Ultimately, a successful project-based unit requires the development of a plan, research, writing, and follow-through. During this process, cooperation, problem solving, and critical thinking are necessary skills students must learn and be able to demonstrate.  At the end of a project-based unit, students will not only be able to demonstrate new knowledge from the completed activity, but they will have also learned several important real-world skills which will help them to be successful in the future.   

References

Ellis, K. (2007, May 9). Five-Year-Olds Pilot Their Own Project-Based Learning [Motion picture]. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/‌kindergarten-project-based-learning-video