Brief Summary:
- The article contains in-depth research on the advantages of incorporating Project Based Learning in the current learning curriculum.
- The concept of hands on learning and its contribution to the holistic development of students
- The benefits of Project based learning and the positive impact in schools.
What is Project Based Learning?
This learning method helps the students to gain more knowledge and practical skills by investigating and researching the authentic and complex problem and challenges.
Project-Based Learning refers to a hands-on learning experience. Here, students learn from live demonstrations and actual working models. Classes are brought to life with this type of concept.
Nowadays, passive learning is a thing of the past. Teaching from textbooks and quoting from study material has become insufficient for students who seek more.
Students are now in the “Do It Yourself (DIY)” mode, where they need reality instructions to learn.
Students want real-life experiences and this is possible through Inquiry Based Learning. Through this novel method of learning, students can be a part of the learning process.
Difference Between Project-Based Learning and Working on A Project
When students work on a project, it usually means working models or paper presentations. These projects are done after the lesson is covered in the school. It is a short project that gives the student a gist of the lesson.
Whereas, Project-Based Learning is the medium through which the lesson is taught. It covers the entire lesson from start to finish and actively involves the students from the beginning.
18 Amazing Benefits of Project Based Learning
1. Fine Motor Skills
The main advantages of Project-based learning is that it develops fine motor skills. Fine motor skills are the coordination of the hands and eyes.
It is the cooperation and teamwork of the muscles in the fingers, hands and eyes that work together to complete a task.
It involves the task of doing a project-based activity related to the lesson. These project-related activities usually involve the making of models or prototypes.
The use of hands and fingers and the eyes and the coordination of each to create the model develops fine motor skills.
2. Develops General Skills for Future
Project-based learning benefits is that it teaches students certain skills that make them future-ready.
Through the adoption of project based learning, students learn to manage and solve problems, think out of the box, and learn to work in teams.
According to an article published in the World Economic Forum 2020, these were some of the job skills required for the future.
3. Improves Critical Thinking
Learning through projects means that students are made to think critically and analytically. Critical and analytical thinking are the core requirements of a future-ready student.
Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly in order to reach a possible rational conclusion. It enables you to make logical decisions based on facts. It lowers the possibility of errors in the completion of certain tasks.
4. Contributes to Improved Understanding of Concepts
Introducing projects while learning allows students to learn conceptually. Conceptual learning reinforces ideas and notions and co-relates these ideas to the present scenarios.
It gives a deeper understanding and meaning to a particular topic. Conceptual learning provides ideas that help in solving complex issues.
5. Team Building
This programmatic based learning teaches students teamwork. Learning the basics of teamwork lead to several other connected qualities.
Through teamwork, students learn leadership skills. Teamwork is the collaborative effort of a group of students to reach a common goal. Students learn to be less selfish and thereby become more effective when working in a group.
We know that Project based learning teaches students the concept of teamwork. Now, on the reverse is also true. That is, team work is always better when it comes to presenting Project work.
For example, when a student is asked to present a project in the class, a collaborative effort will always be better than an individual effort. This is because a collaborative effort involves the ideas of several team members as compared to a single idea.
6. Effective Time Management
Apart from the numerous benefits of Project Based Learning, including improved teamwork, students also learn to manage time effectively in a group.
To explain this effectively, let us take an example. When a team is given the task of completing and presenting a project in front of the class, different portions of the project can be delegated to the team members.
Such delegation of work avoids repetition of work and therefore contributes to effective time management.
7. Project Management
Lessons through this instructional approach, teach students the art of project management. This trains students to manage project work from a very young age, allowing them to perfect their skills before they enter the career world.
The career world holds vast opportunities for students to manage projects. Being introduced to this type of learning from school allows them to manage these projects well.
8. Project Based Learning for Improved Problem Solving Skills.
A study conducted by researchers at MIDA Learning Technologies confirmed the positive impact of Project based learning on students when it comes to problem solving skills especially in science and math.
The study revealed that the students who adopted Project based learning scored better in problem solving than their peers who were not introduced to the concept of Project Based learning.
9. Handling of Tools and Machinery
Another advantage of project work in school is that students become adept at handling hi-tech tools and machinery from a very young age. The exposure the students get at this age goes a long way in their future.
Students handle sharp objects and electrical equipment under the guidance and supervision of a professional. This gives them the confidence to handle equipment at a very young age.
10. Breaks the Monotony
Project Based learning breaks the school monotony. Several hours of lectures and assignments can sometimes seem long and boring.
Involving activity gives students the opportunity to move around in the class, which is not otherwise possible in a traditional classroom set up, where students are made to sit at their desks and listen to the lectures.
However, “learning by doing” breaks this monotony and gives students something to do and think about. As discussed above, this type of learning involves critical and analytical thinking along with activity-based learning. Students need to connect their lesson to the activity.
11. Involves Active Participation
An advantage of project work for students is that it involves the active participation of mind and body. In schools, usually shy students do not like to ask or answer questions.
Project-based learning eliminates this drawback of traditional teaching. Students participate in activities giving all students equal opportunities for expression.
12. Learning Through Projects Builds Curiosity Amongst the Students.
A study conducted and published in the SAGE Journals in July 2020 stated that Project Based Learning technique improves students engagement by enabling knowledge and information sharing and discussion.
Therefore, this approach is highly recommended for educational use by students and should be encouraged in universities.
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13. Builds Confidence
When students build and create their models and projects, it gives them the feeling of accomplishment. This is because there is a structure to look at.
Students can claim ownership of what they have learned and done on their own. This feeling helps in building student’s self esteem. The feeling that they can do things on their own and do something that results in a workable model.
14. Recall Ability
How often are you able to remember a particular sentence from a text you read earlier? How often are you able to remember something you have made?
Well, it is a known fact that recalling a fact from memory is tougher than remembering something you have physically and actively made.
In the same way, students can remember a project they have done last year through project or inquiry based learning, easily.
15. Easy Assessments
Gone are the days where assessments meant only written examinations for scoring great marks. The new world has now introduced novel methods of assessments that involve the measurement of more than just memory power.
This type of learning gives ample opportunities to teachers to measure the child’s understanding at various levels. Students are now able to express their capabilities in more ways than one.
16. Psychological Study
Another project-based learning benefit for students and teachers is that it allows teachers to gauge the profile of students.
Teachers can easily study each child, from behavior to performances through programmatic project-based learning. Teachers can learn more about students through this method of learning.
17. Communication Made Easy
Through this novel learning concept, teachers and students can improve their art of communication and communicate easily with each other. The traditional method where students can ask questions at the end of the lesson is all bygones.
Since project-based learning is an on-going process, students and teachers communicate with each other at every single point.
Students build positive relationships with teachers through project-based learning.
18. Creativity and Perseverance
Another advantage of project-based learning is that students can get more creative. Students design their project work and build their creative skills.
Students also learn to try till the end. At times projects may fail, however, this type of learning encourages students to persevere till the project runs successfully. They are eager to see working models.
Conclusion
Project-based learning is a novel and unique method of learning. It seeks to better prepare students for fruitful careers in the future.
Students multitask while creating and designing projects. They solve problems step by step. These advantages of project-based learning allow students to learn from experiences and hands-on activities.
Through project-based learning, students are connected to the real world not just theoretically but also practically.
Project Based Learning is fresh, enjoyable and involves the whole team. As a team, each member has to participate, discuss, coordinate and cooperate. It removes the envy and egoism from the students.
It helps the students to participate actively with all their friends and a shy student will also get utmost exposure and he can fly high in his career.
This learning is nothing but overall understanding of the subject with real experience. This will not wipe out from memory since students involve physically and mentally.
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