This document discusses project-based learning and its importance in education. It notes that project-based learning has students explore real-world problems and challenges with the teacher serving as a facilitator. Research shows it can be more effective than traditional instruction for academic achievement, long-term retention, and skill development. In the 21st century, project-based learning enhances students' technology knowledge as they use tools like virtual worlds, PowerPoint, wikis, podcasts, and webquests for their projects instead of traditional posters and papers. These tools promote collaboration and allow students to explore topics in more depth.

1. Project Based
Learning
Casandra Goodwin and
Jason Maynard

2. Project Based Learning

“Project-based learning is a
dynamic approach to teaching in
which students explore real-world
problems and challenges.”
 Importance:
addresses real life issues, has
the teacher serve as the
facilitator, motivates students,
encourages advanced thinking


3. Project Based Learning
 Importance
Research
Continued:
has shown that PBL
can be more effective than
traditional instruction in
increasing academic
achievement on annual stateadministered assessment tests,
for long term retention, skill
development, and for preparing
students to integrate and explain
concepts.

4. Project Based Learning
 Role
in 21st Century:
With
things like virtual world
teaching, Microsoft Office, Web
2.0 sites, and online research
engines, students will use these
for their projects; therefore, paper
and glue poster boards for
projects can become online Prezi
assignments. PBI enhances a
students knowledge of the 21st
century’s technology.

5. Project Based Learning
The following
are tools that
could be used
for PBL:

6. Second Life
 Second
Life is a virtual world that can
be used for fun or for educational
purposes.
 Depending on what the topic is, the
teacher could make the virtual world
based on the topic providing different
elements of the topic for the students
to discover in vivid detail. They would
have certain tasks that they would
have to complete in a certain amount
of time. This would enhance their skill

7. PowerPoint


PowerPoint is “a software package
designed to create electronic
presentations consisting of a series
of separate pages or slides.”
If a student needs to do a research
project, they could create a PowerPoint.
By doing this kind of project, the student
would learn to create tables/graphics
collaborating with words rather than
doing a poster board. Group projects
end effectively with PowerPoint use.

8. Web 2.0
The second generation of the World
Wide Web. Examples would be
social networking, blogs, wikis, and
web applications.
 In a classroom, you could assign
each group a topic in which they
need to research and post their
findings on a wiki page (like we did
in this class). It promotes
collaboration with other students.


9. Podcasts


A Podcast is “a multimedia digital file
made available on the Internet for
downloading to a portable media player,
computer, etc.”
Podcasts are a big part of the 21st
century. Being able to record yourself
rather than writing down what you say is
very beneficial. If the student needed to
make a declaratory statement of
whatever research they are doing in
class, they can make a short Podcast
and share it with their classmates

10. WebQuests


“A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented lesson
format in which most or all the information that
learners work with comes from the web. These
can be created using various programs,
including a simple word processing document
that includes links to websites.”
Using a WebQuest would allow the student to
have access to detailed information, resources,
and instructions even away from home. It
requires students to search the Web for their
information and enhances their conceptual
skills, along with promoting the use of our 21st
century technology.

11. WebQuest Cont’d

This is a lnk of a WebQuest that would
specifically be used in the classroom.
 http://zunal.com/webquest.php?w=215719
Students would have to use the
Internet sources to explore their
findings and then prepare their
deliveries to the class using another
21st century tool.
 Rather than simply researching, this
would create a dynamic project with
steps using our 21st century
technology.


12. Conclusion

Project Based Learning has always
been a key part of the educational
system because it requires hands
on work for students. In the 21 st
century, PBI has not only became
easier, but more exploratory
because with our many options of
technology, it gives the students a
chance to explore different types of
tools to pursue their projects and
better retain the information
because they put it together

13. Works Cited

http://www.bie.org/research/study/does_pb

http://www.edutopia.org/projectbased-learning