Key aspects of Project Based Learning

1. Key aspects of Project Based Learning A presentation by Peter de Lisle

2. Project Based Learning uses collaborative learning • Encourages collaboration between learners in the classroom and others in their own community • Through technology, learners are part of the global community. • Learners use email to contact an expert in the field they are researching.

3. Project Based Learning is based on an Information process • Learners solve problems through research, analysis & synthesis of information, and presentation of what they have learned.

4. Project Based Learning uses co-operative learning • Learners develop the skills of working with others, making decisions together, solving complex problems with the assistance of others. • All members of the group need to work together to make sense of what is going on and complete the project. • Within a group, each learner is assigned a role, eg listener, note taker, task manager, etc. • Educator sits in with a group and listens to what the group discussion.

5. Project Based Learning is based on Constructivist principles • Learners discover for themselves before being given “correct answers.” • Encourages learners to work with information in ways that encourage them to make their own meaning. • Learners given the opportunity to find and work with Information in an authentic and interesting way. • Learners encouraged to create their own knowledge based on what they have learnt, and to share it with others. • Learner shows Educator something “cool” she has just discovered that a computer programme can do.

6. Project Based Learning takes account of multiple intelligences • Allows focus on other modalities besides verbal/linguistic and mathematical/logical. • Learners build a working model as part of a project.