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Learn More - Project Based Learning & Collaboration

Project based learning is the engine that drives true student engagement in today’s educational setting. It creates a pathway for students to explore, inquire, and create. During the process, students are honing important communication and collaboration skills that will serve them well in life. (Ralston,T 2016)

Students need to leave school college and career ready and prepared for jobs that don’t currently exist. To do this, teachers must expand the way information is presented. The old methods of teaching such as lecturing, memorization, and drill and practice do not address all of the skills that our students need to be successful in today’s world. Students must be proficient in 21st Century Skills critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity, citizenship and problem solving. Project Based Learning (PBL) is the way to achieve this. It is the way to introduce and instruct them in Common Core State Standards. Teachers need further training in how to correctly implement PBL. Also, as with any strategy, PBL requires time to show its results. The student choice and voice that PBL allows for also allows for multiple types, as well as levels, of learners to succeed.

Initially, I chose to focus on the impact of Project Based Learning on student engagement and achievement. I have used PBL many times, but with a recent move to 5th grade I thought it would be an opportunity to really get into a project. My experience up to this point had been some training through the New Tech Network (NTN) and some fun projects with first graders. Although the students learned a lot, successfully created projects and shared the knowledge they gained through their presentations, the problem I found was that researching in first grade is predominately done by the teacher. To have a truly authentic project the students would need to be involved at every level of learning and I now had that opportunity.

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