The project method, rooted in American pragmatism and developed by Dr. Kilpatrick, is a teaching strategy where students engage in real-life projects to enhance learning through active participation. While it promotes critical thinking, self-discipline, and independent work, it also has drawbacks such as inefficiency in covering the syllabus and lack of structured learning. Suggested projects for mathematics education include activities like creating a school bank and planning a garden.

1. S. Anbalagan,
Assistant Professor of Mathematics
Thiagarajar College of Preceptors,
Madurai
Project Method

2. Project Method

3. Project Method
• Definition
• Project method is of American origin and is an outcome of
Dewey’s philosophy or pragmatism. However, this method is
developed and advocated by Dr.Kilpatrick.
• Project is a plan of action – oxford’s advanced learner’s
dictionary
• Project is a bit of real life that has been imported into school –
Ballard
• A project is a unit of wholehearted purposeful activity carried on
preferably in its natural setting – Dr.Kilpatrick

4. Basic principles of project method
Psychological principles of learning
Learning by doing
Learning by living
Children learn better through association, co-operation and
activity.
Psychological laws of learning
Law of readiness
Law of exercise
Law of effect

5. STEPS INVOLVED IN PROJECT METHOD
• 1) Providing / creating the situations
• 2) Proposing and choosing the project
• 3) Planning the project
• 4) Execution of the project
• 5) Evaluation of the project
• 6) Recording of the project.

6. Some projects for mathematics
• A few projects suitable for high school mathematics are
listed below
• Execution of school bank.
• Running stationary stores in the school.
• Laying out a school garden.
• Laying a road.
• Planning and estimating the construction of a house
• Planning for an annual camp
• Executing the activities of mathematics clubs
• Collection of data regarding population, death rate,
birth rate etc.

7. Merits
This is based on various psychological laws and principles.
It develops self-confidence and self-discipline among the
students
It provides ample scope for training.
It provides score for independent work and individual
development.
It promotes habits of critical thinking and encourages the
students to adopt problem-solving methods.
Merits

8. • This method the children are active
participants in the learning task.
• This is based on principle of activity, reality,
effect, and learning by doing etc.
• It develops discovery attitude in the child.
• It provides self-motivation as the students
themselves select plan and execute the
project.

9. •
• Demerits
It takes more time.
• The knowledge is not acquired in a sequential and systematic
manner
• It is very difficult to complete the whole syllabus by the use of
this method.
• It is not economical.
• Textbooks and instructional materials are hardly available.
• The project method does not provide necessary drill and
practice for the learners of the subject.

10. • The project method is uneconomical in terms of
time and is not possible to fit into the regular time
table.
• Teaching is disorganized
• This method is not suitable for a fixed curriculum.
• Syllabus cannot be completed on time using this
method

11. Seminar