Harada, V.H., Kirio, C., & Yamamoto, S. (2008). Project-based learning: rigor and
relevance in high schools. Library Media Connection, 14-20.
The authors of the article discuss the poor graduation rates and increasing dropout rates of high school students. The reason the authors give for this is that the curriculum does not address real life situations that students want and need. They also mention that many of the students who are of greatest concern are the disadvantaged minorities. High schools are now focusing on the academic needs and have begun creating learning environments that would meet the needs by using the project-based learning approach. Students are now seeing relevance in their learning. Students are now exploring their own interests within the bounds of curriculum.
The authors list the major features of PBL. The first is the exploration by the students, second is the students’ selection of topics that are interesting to them and gaining the responsibility of their own learning, third is that the instructors are facilitating and coaching rather than teaching, fourth, students are using technology, fifth, students are collaborating, and sixth, students are now reflecting on their work.
The authors give benefits of the PBL. They state that it helps students learn content and the process, it stresses real-life situations, it focuses on theme and issues interesting to the student, and meets the needs of all learners.
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It's amazing the difference there is in engagement and motivation when students are allowed to pursue topics of their own interest. Last year during our unit on informational writing, I allowed students to choose from a menu of writing topics. One of the topics was writing on their favorite wild animal. I was amazed at the quality of writing I got when students were able to write on a topic of interest to them.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of planning projects which are based on students' interests. This would be very motivating. We have to do whatever it takes to engage our students (disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged) in learning and to show them its relevance.
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