My Views on Project-Based Learning

I have learnt that project- based learning is one of the best ways to teach and engage learners effectively in the learning process. I have also observed that with Project-based learning, the learners get to have a hands-on experience that will last their entire lifetime. They learn things by doing them, and each one of them is actively involved. There is sharing of ideas as they work out the solutions to the problems.  Learners are also more prepared  for higher levels which helps them to meet the more demanding standards. The learners learn well and are able to remember better what they have learnt. Their confidence is boosted together with their communication skills. And to top it all, they get to develop their creativity which later helps them to improve their communities. It also teaches them some important 21st century skills like critical thinking and problem-solving, creativity and innovation, Collaboration and communication. It prepares them for the real world. It further equips them with higher order thinking skills such as analyzing, evaluating, creating and applying which are very essential.

One of the methods I have learnt, of Project-based learning is the use of a webquest. This is not an easy thing to create and if one is not patient enough to keep revisiting the first parts of the webquest, it is easy to entirely give up the idea of using it. It is taxing, challenging and also frustrating.  What constitutes a Webquest are things that one can falsely be led to believe are easy to deal with/create and these include; the welcome page, introduction, Task, Process, Evaluation, conclusion and teacher page, the most demanding of which is the Process phase. However, all the phases should and must be structured well so as to link well with each other and also serve to satisfy the standards for which the webquest is created. This is the most challenging part I have had to deal with.

My teaching in the classroom has mostly been teacher-centered and learners have had little chance to direct their own learning or even experience what they are learning. This course has opened my eyes to new ways that learners can be fully engaged and put in control of their learning. It has shown me that learners need to be given a chance to experience what they are learning and to be able to apply them to the real world. That is the only way they would feel and value what they are learning if they know that it will be useful in the real world. Apart from the Literature texts that they have had chance to prepare for and take roles, and later on act out these parts, I have not tried out anything else related to the format of the webquest. I will try to use Project-based learning in areas of the curriculum where possible.