Project Approach

1. Project Approach By: Ally Geurts & Rachel Zander

2. Definition • The Project Approach refers to a set of teaching strategies which enable teachers to guide children through in-depth studies of real world topics. The Project Approach is not unstructured. There is a complex but flexible framework with features that characterize the teaching-learning interaction. When teachers implement the Project Approach successfully, children can be highly  motivated, feel actively involved in their own learning, and produce work of a high quality • (Chard, 2001, Definition).

3. History of Project Approach • 1590-1765: The beginnings of project work at architectural schools in Europe. • 1765-1880: The project as a regular teaching method and its transplantation to America. • 1880-1915: Work on projects in manual training and in general public schools. • 1915-1965: Redefinition of the project method and its transplantation from America back to Europe. • 1965-today: Rediscovery of the project idea and the third wave of its international dissemination.

4. History Continued.. • The Project Approach evolved from a desire to help students participate in and contribute to a democratic society. Though project work has long prepared students for health, happiness, and success—even as far back as the 16th century —it emerged recently as a prime teaching strategy of the 21st century. Headlines everywhere refer to a rapidly changing and more global world, and governments and organizations call upon students to lend their hands through service, innovation, and problem-solving. These calls to action require a new kind of education—one that inspires, connects, and empowers students.

5. Example • http://polaris.umuc.edu/%7Evwiest/bugstudy/bugindex.html • http://www.cedu.niu.edu/~mutuku/courses/tlse424/ProjectApproach.pdf

6. Sources • http://www.cedu.niu.edu/~mutuku/courses/tlse424/ProjectApproach.pdf • http://www.projectapproach.org/