2. What is Project Based Learning? The primary focus of project-based learning is to teach students the skills necessary for everyday situations. Students are more deeper engaged to research and find idealistic solutions. Incorporating technology into classroom projects ensures that our students can use technology effectively and productively.
3. Project-Based Learning Cont. Project-based learning is centered around classroom activity that emphasizes learning activities which are interdisciplinary and student focused. This approach is generally less structured than traditional teacher-led classroom activities. Students must organize their own work and must manage their own time. Within the project-based learning style, students are able to collaborate by working together. The collaboration between students is what makes this style of learning differ from the traditional inquiry based activities.
4. How does it work? Students are able to form their own investigation which in turn allows students to develop valuable research skills. The students engage in problem solving, decision making and investigating activities. Students can work in groups or by themselves to come up with ideas and realistic solutions. This still includes teacher facilitation, but not as much teacher direction as in traditional instruction. The main focus of this form of learning is to drive students to encounter the core concepts and principles of a subject hands on.
5. Teacher Planning for Integration When students are able to take responsibility for their learning, their self esteem soars. Project-based learning helps to create better work habits and attitudes in the learning process. Although students work in groups during project-based learning, they become more independent because they are receiving little instruction from the teacher. Students will begin to learn skills that are essential in higher education and skills that strengthen their ability to expand their minds. Students will find better solutions to problems by utilizing their critical thinking skills. www.heyden-house.co.za
6. Integration Cont. There are several features that assist in the direction of project-based instruction within a classroom. It is important to provide students with a specific focus throughout the project that enables them to make connections withreal life experiences or situations. It will be most beneficial to have a specific focus relevant to the particular age group.
7. Planning for the Educator Teachers decide on what instructional strategies to demonstrate and how to carry them out. When teachers create an instructional design for technology integration, they need to consider the characteristics of their topic and the needs of their students as well.
17. Student Benefits Project based technology can reach out and accommodate many different types of learners. It can especially engage those who are strong auditory, visual, or kinesthetic learners; as seeing, hearing, and doing are the main components of classroom projects.
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19. Students will begin to learn skills that are essential in higher education and skills that strengthen their ability to expand their minds. Students will find better solutions to problems by utilizing their critical thinking skills.
24. Video Cameras Students can effectively incorporate video cameras into project-based learning to become more familiar with the technology. They can practice responsibilities such as writing movie scripts, creating personal interviews, movies, or documentaries, and editing them for presentation.
25. PowerPoint PowerPoint is a presentation program that allows users to organize ideas and information into a creative and professional presentation. Teachers can use PowerPoint to present a class lecture, and students can use PowerPoint to summarize research.
26. Podcasting Podcasts are audio broadcasts that are available for playback on computers and digital mp3 players. Teachers can use Podcasts regularly in the classroom for reviews or missed lectures, and students can use Podcasts creatively for class assignments and presentations.
27. Technology in Special Education The computer has been shown to motivate the special education student “…to spend more time working on an instructional assignment and doing well in school.” Due to receiving tutoring and instruction on the computer, students with disabilities are able to particularly shine when doing project-based activities.
34. They are less likely to have difficulty processing the material being taught.
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36. Teachers Technology Literacy As technology dramatically changes our society, educators need to demonstrate the skills and behaviors of digital-age professionals. Competence with technology is the foundation. The teacher is key when using technology within the classroom. Teachers can increase the classroom participation of all students by incorporating technologies such as email, interactive whiteboards, podcasts and blogs into their daily instruction. www.evolvecairns.com
39. Damaging, destroying, stealing, and illegally using files that belong to others. Teachers need to be aware of these issues and lead by example. It is important that educators demonstrate by using original work or correctly citing their sources.
40. References Boss, Suzie, and Krauss, Jane. Reinventing Project-Based Learning. Washington, D.C: ISTE, 2007. Web. 01 Dec 2010. Wetzel, K., Mitchell-Kay, S., & Foulger, T.S. Rathkey, C. (June, 2009) Using technology to support learning in a first grade class. International Journal of Technology in Teaching and Learning. Zhang,Y. (1999) Project-Based collaborative learning. 10th International Conference of the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (pp.1960-1963) Wikipedia. "Project-Based Learning." "Wikipedia: the free encyclopedia". 20 November 2010. . 4 December 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project-based_learning>. Pittman,Joyce. Teachers and cognitive literacy skills: implications for technology. Article from: Journal of Research on Technology in Education. June 22, 2002. ISTE. "NETS for Students." International Society for Technology in Education. 2007.. . 3 December 2010. <http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-students.aspx>.
