What is project-based learning and how does it work?
To understand what project-based learning is, it is important to know how the real-world works. The world we live in is constantly changing, and projects become the main pillar of development. The successful entrepreneurs of the world are those who have the creativity to devise such projects, the logical thinking to structure them and the discipline to turn them into reality.
Today there is an over-supply of information where memorization is no longer a primary element in education. Skills such as critical thinking, creativity, communication skills and the ability to collaborate and work in teams to form leaders are much more relevant for the changing world of tomorrow.
This is the reason for the success of the Project Based Learning (PBL) methodology, which, due to its direct relationship to the real world, generates experiences that provide solutions to problems that can be found in daily life.
In this learning experience the student is assigned a multidisciplinary project (i.e., integrating more than one subject), which gives a clear purpose to learning. This learning is a channel to turn our children into future agents of change from an early age.
What is Project Based Learning (PBL)?
Project Based Learning (PBL) is a methodology that gives relevance to applied practical experience, where the student is the protagonist of his own learning and where the learning of knowledge has the same importance as the acquisition of skills and attitudes such as critical thinking, communication, argumentative capacity and teamwork.
In this learning experience the student is assigned a multidisciplinary project (i.e., integrating more than one subject), which gives a clear purpose to learning. This learning is a channel to turn our children into future agents of change from an early age.
How is project-based learning developed?
Children learn through projects, often chosen by themselves based on their passions and interests, but always based on curricular objectives. These are in-depth studies of 6 to 9 weeks focused on a real-world problem and ending with the creation of a high quality product and its presentation. The project should be the main course and not the dessert at the end of the learning curriculum.
We show you how to apply project-based learning in ten steps.
- Starting point: the topic to be addressed and the problem question are defined.
- Formation of collaborative teams.
- Definition of the final product: the learning objectives and the product to be developed are defined.
- Organization and planning: Assignment of roles among the teams, definition of tasks and time.
- Exchange of ideas and search and collection of information: review of objectives, recovery of previous knowledge, introduction of new concepts, search for information.
- Analysis and synthesis: sharing researched information, contrast of ideas, debate, problem solving, decision making.
- Creativity, workshop and production: application of new knowledge, implementation of basic skills, development and execution of the final product.
- Project presentation: Preparing the presentation, public defense, peer review.
- Collaboration, collective response to the initial question: Reflection on the experience, use of instant messaging systems.
- Evaluation and self-evaluation: MEANINGFUL LEARNING.
These positive practical experiences foster emotional competencies such as self-esteem, empathy, confidence, creativity and entrepreneurship, essential qualities for success in the modern professional world, and in their interpersonal relationships with family and friends. A positive learning experience is what enables students to become lifelong learners, who remain eager to continue discovering and innovating at all stages of their lives.