We’re all familiar with the typical school project, where students work together to achieve a common goal—like building a model aeroplane or writing a basic computer program. Usually, the group will receive a grade once the project is complete and the work will be over.
Project-based learning (PBL), on the other hand, is about much more than finishing a task and achieving a grade. It’s about the holistic experience of learning from start to finish, from planning through to seeing the real-world impact of your work.
PBL offers immense benefits to students and is critical for any learner hoping to reach their full potential. Keep reading to find out why!
What exactly is project-based learning?
At its core, project-based learning is about immersing students in ‘real-world’ projects and tasks. Contrast this approach with traditional education, where educators passively teach students to perform tasks or retell them as they have happened in the past.
Usually, a project-based learning task will have personal relevance and meaning to the learner. For example, a student passionate about environmental conservation might choose to arrange a community clean-up day for their project.
Most PBL activities will extend over a longer period than normal classroom tasks and involve investigating and responding to a complex, authentic challenge, question, or problem.
For example, your PBL activities might involve:
- Running and hosting a community sporting event,
- Building and programming a robot to solve a problem or need,
- Running a fundraising drive for a local charity,
- Create and run a YouTube channel about a unique interest,
- Redesign your city’s public transport system,
- Plan and film a documentary about a current issue in your community.
3 reasons to try project-based learning
So, now you understand what project-based learning is, you’re probably wondering how it can help you reach your full potential.
Well, here are three reasons why it’s such a powerful educational approach:
- You’ll see the real-world impact of your work. While it’s great to receive a high grade, there’s nothing better than witnessing other people directly benefiting from something you’ve created!
- You’ll build skills for success. PBL activities will open you to a range of unique learning experiences and opportunities to build job-ready, 21st-century skills, including learning agility, critical thinking, perseverance, creativity, and many more.
- You’ll showcase your unique talents and abilities. While traditional education often takes a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach, PBL is about student-driven inquiry. You’ll choose a personally meaningful project, allowing you to explore your interests and share your unique knowledge.
Reap the benefits of project-based learning today
The future of project-based learning is looking bright and the benefits are clear. As more learning institutions become aware of the benefits of PBL and how it can help students achieve their full potential, it will become a critical part of every curriculum.
Practera is a specially-designed platform connecting students, educators, and learning institutions to powerful project-based learning experiences. To learn more about Practera and how it could benefit you, connect for a discussion today.
