Comments on: What research says about project-based learning

By: Sylvia Martinez

Sylvia Martinez — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 18:28:22 +0000

HI Andrew,
I don’t think that PBL is difficult OR expensive. It only looks that way because we try to layer it onto teaching practices that don’t support it. It may not match a standards-driven assessment, but that’s different. Using direct instruction may seem “easy”, but if the results are poor, you end up wasting a lot of time, energy, and money. Authentic assessment strategies SAVE time and money in the long run, because you do them in line with student work, and student’s get the help they need to succeed when and where they need it.

By: Andrew Pass

Andrew Pass — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 18:19:06 +0000

Thanks for this interesting post!!

I’m actually in the process of writing a chapter that considers the value of project based learning for both authentic instruction and differentiated instruction. Computer based projects are extraordinarily useful for meeting these two important objectives of instruction. But for as useful as they are, they are also very difficult, and perhaps expensive, to develop. I look forward to watching this technology evolve in the next few years.

By: Suzie Boss

Suzie Boss — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 16:12:03 +0000

You highlight an important question: What does PBL look like in real life? Too many educators have never had a chance to experience this kind of learning themselves, or see it in action in the classroom. That’s why we’ve included many authentic project examples from classrooms around the world in our new look at this important subject. Reinventing Project-Based Learning: Your Field Guide to Real-World Projects in the Digital Age takes teachers through the whole process. You’re absolutly right that students are part of the solution. Tapping their expertise as tech mentors makes perfect sense. It’s all part of the shift to student-centered learning that happens with the project approach.

By: Sylvia Martinez

Sylvia Martinez — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 06:20:41 +0000

I think it’s a common misconception that project-based learning means that teachers never tell students facts or check for understanding.

I do think it’s a problem, however, if students can’t count on consistent assessment. There will always be a sense of mistrust of a project that might just be test prep in disguise.

I also disagree that “fact-based teaching methods are vital.” What you are describing is a “banking model” of education in which children supposedly can be taught facts for later recall. Paulo Freire dealt with the flaws in this model this very thoroughly in his book, Pedagogy of the Oppressed.

By: PS

PS — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 05:27:22 +0000

I agree with you that project-based learning and critical thinking should be given a higher priority in our schools. I believe it is crucial to teach children the art of analytical thinking and problem solving. It is important to remember that our job as teachers is to impart general knowledge, but also to teach the children how to think critically.

Unfortunately, I can see how project-based learning might be difficult to accomplish. It might be difficult for teachers to overcome time constraints, to provide the necessary support to students, and for children to take an active role in participation. The teacher might also face internal challenges since the teaching method is more abstract, teachers might have trouble determining whether or not their project is accomplishing the ultimate goal of improving analytical skills. It is also much more difficult to measure success and student development as opposed to traditional testing where there are clear right answers. Lastly, teachers might find that “shyer” students may not be as willing to participate and might be overshadowed by the more outspoken students.

With that said, I still think that traditional, fact-based, teaching methods are also vital to the development of the “whole child”. By having a wealth of information at their fingertips, students will be better equipped to think critically and argue their point effectively.

In summary, I agree with you that part of the problem in our public schools is that the current education system deprives students of project-based learning, but at the same time, substituting traditional methods with project-based learning entirely ignores the benefits that traditional teaching methods provide. I believe that a balanced system that integrates both, project-based learning and traditional learning into the same lesson plan would be ideal.

By: Laura Varlas

Laura Varlas — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 19:33:59 +0000

hi Sylvia! Thanks for the shout out about the Feb. EL. We’ll be posting on other articles from this issue, and providing exclusive blog content, over at http://www.ascd.org/blog. Please stop by and tell us what you think!