Project-based learning (PBL) is an instructional approach that engages students in learning essential knowledge and life-enhancing skills through an extended, student-influenced inquiry process structured around complex, authentic questions and carefully designed products and tasks. PBL references theories that support experiential and hands-on learning. It provides opportunities for students to gain skills like collaboration, critical thinking, and problem solving that prepare them for further education and careers in a changing world. The document provides examples of technology tools that can support PBL approaches in the classroom by facilitating research, collaboration, and assessment of student work.

1. PROJECT-BASED LEARNING (PBL)
Sample of PBL (review)

2. What is Project-based Learning?
Many Educators and theorists like John Dewey have found the advantages
of “hands-on learning”. Others call this experiential learning, learning by
doing, student-focused approaches. Unknowingly, we have applied the
same strategy in some of our classroom activities. Fieldtrips, investigatory
Science Projects, Role playing are some examples of student-centered
learning activities, called Project-based Learning
Project-based Learning approach is a product of a revolution of learning
theory. Behaviorists and Psychologists acknowledge that learning takes
place not only in the acquisition of knowledge and skills but also through
social activities. Learners use past knowledge, experiences to
explore, negotiate and construct solutions to problems. In a
sense, learners also learn to apply these solutions to real-based problems
by adapting themselves to the changing world.

3. Why is Project-based Learning significant?
Change is constant. According to Mahatma Gandhi,” We must be the
change we want to see in the world”. Global changes have affected our
way of life and learning. The advent of technology for instance has paved
way for more complexity in our everyday living. Moreover, solving highly
complex problems require students to have the fundamental skills in
reading, writing and math and digital age skills such as teamwork, problem
solving, research gathering, time management, information synthesizing,
utilizing high tech tools.
The traditional “chalk-talk” approach obviously cannot thrive in this age of
technology. PBL provides an avenue for these skills to be achieved and
thus prepare our students to become truly “globally competitive”. It also
becomes an avenue for students to learn according to their own learning
styles and differences. The learning activities are flexible and allow for
more research and interaction to take place in the learning environment,
making avenues for critical thinking and creating communities of lifelong
learners.

4. ICT Tools:
http://www.edutopia.org
- Provides us with the steps on how to do PBL in the classroom.
Photostory 3 for windows
Free download (downloadable)
http://www.2learn.ca/Projects/Together/structures.html
Creating tele-collaborative activities.
http://science.nasa.gov/Earthscience.html
Resource site for science materials
www.usingenglish.com
Resource site for teaching english as a 2nd
language

5. http://www.khake.com/page47.html
Resource site for Math Enthusiasts
VIRTUAL CLASSROOM SITES:
www.nicenet.org (free)
http://moodle.org/ (free)
www.wiziq.com (free)
www.blackboard.com
(subscription)
http://microsoft.com/learningessentials/download.mspx
A learning management suite for teachers and students. Includes easy to follow
steps on how to integrate ICT in the classroom. The suite includes templates for
online classes and scaffolds

6. Hot Potatoe
http://hotpot.uvic.ca/
A quick way to create quizzes online such as fill in the
blanks, multiple choice, matching type, crossword puzzles and
jumbled sentence exercises.
Rubistar
http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php
Online tool for creating rubrics used in authentic assessment.
http://www.arcademicskillbuilders.com/
Research based and academic standards online exercises for
students