"Why are we learning through projects and should we continue next semester using PBL?"
My final was a semester long reflection piece and this was the last question on it. I expected different views on it, and the student responses were not going to change my plans for using PBL the following semester, but I wanted to gauge where their thoughts were on this style. I was shocked at the results, to say the least. Out of 118 students who were asked this question, only one said he didn't want to do PBL next semester and instead asked for traditional book work and lectures. From surveys I have conducted in my action research project, I came to the conclusion that there was no one way of teaching that every student would agree on.
This semester I have had students tell me they didn't learn anything, I didn't teach them anything, and PBL is too hard. I've had parents email me complaining about the grade their child was getting in my class and insisting it was due to PBL, not their child, and even threaten to remove thier child from my class. I've failed students and had a record number of D's in one class as well as had a majority of classes not turn in a specific project. Numerous times throughout the semester I doubted whether this was the best approach to teaching because it seemed that I wasn't getting through to students. I felt the need to justify my teaching style and get buy in from the students, hence the question on the final.
I also had a record number of A's in my senior class as well as an email from a parent commending my use of PBL. This parent said that he employed over 100 people and wish that his employees had the problem solving skills that I was teaching my students. That, combined with the support from my administration in the form of a project to help the school, seems to pale in comparison to the answers I received from my students, many of whom listed here were vocal early in the semester about doing PBL.
This semester I have had students tell me they didn't learn anything, I didn't teach them anything, and PBL is too hard. I've had parents email me complaining about the grade their child was getting in my class and insisting it was due to PBL, not their child, and even threaten to remove thier child from my class. I've failed students and had a record number of D's in one class as well as had a majority of classes not turn in a specific project. Numerous times throughout the semester I doubted whether this was the best approach to teaching because it seemed that I wasn't getting through to students. I felt the need to justify my teaching style and get buy in from the students, hence the question on the final.
I also had a record number of A's in my senior class as well as an email from a parent commending my use of PBL. This parent said that he employed over 100 people and wish that his employees had the problem solving skills that I was teaching my students. That, combined with the support from my administration in the form of a project to help the school, seems to pale in comparison to the answers I received from my students, many of whom listed here were vocal early in the semester about doing PBL.
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"At the beginning of the 1st semester I would say not to do it next semester, but I have realized that PBL has taught me a new way of learning and thinking so I would like to continue PBL next semester."
-Sonia "Even though projects are hard and sometimes can be a pain, projects are preparing us for the future."
-Cirila This is most like our future and what we will be doing in a job and [it] challenges students."
-Mallory "We not only learn what we are being taught, but also how to present it."
-Olivia "In real life, this is what you have to do. When you have a job, your boss isn't going to say, "There is a kid stuck in a tree, write down how you think she'll get down."
-Elvira [PBL] will teach us things that we will use for the rest of our lives."
-Mika "We are learning through projects because presentation is a big part of the real world. That's something we will remember later on in life. I think we should proceed with this learning. It's teaching me how to get over the fear of presenting in front of people."
-Lorena "[PBL] helps you learn instead of just remembering."
-Louis "It is difficult but a good way to learn."
-Taylor |
"We are learning through PBL for many reasons. PBL is a lot more fun and interesting than normal book work. It allows students to collaborate with each other to come up with new, creative ideas. PBL also allows students to look at topics in a different perspective; book work is just memorization. Students can also share ideas with the entire class through PBL. For these reasons, we should continue PBL next semester."
-Daisy "I think we should continue using PBL next semester because I want to improve my communication."
-Jason "We are learning through projects because in real life, you don't get to read a book and answer questions. You get projects and you work in teams."
-Eric "I think projects will help n the real world. I have learned how to speak better in public and to work in groups."
-Jenna "We are learning through projects because in the future we will have to do projects and not read things out of a book and memorize it."
-Madi "We are learning through projects because you retain the information better."
-Remy "[PBL] needs more thinking...than book work. The information sticks more than book work."
-Gissele "We are learning through projects because they tend to simulate real-life problems or situations more accurately..."
-Mitch "I feel like we should continue PBL next semester so we can continue learning the 4 C's and improve our real-world preparation."
-Keith |