Project based learning and its efficacy in the development of secondary school students’ ICT capabilities Project based learning (PBL) is a model which facilitates learning in students’ by encouraging them to explore and design a solution for a challenging question or a real life problem (Thomas, 2000, p1). This model is based on the constructivist approach in which knowledge is built upon by the students’ themselves through experience and engagement with the problem posed. This paper discusses and reviews the efficacy of PBL in acquiring information and communication technology (ICT) capabilities. This review is primarily focussed on the effect of PBL in secondary school students. The study examines the effectiveness of PBL under the following theme, “Theoretical and methodological positions”. Under this theme, three principals have been evaluated and analysed in the subsequent sections. Each of these sections is followed by a summary of the highlights and its impact on the overall effectiveness of PBL in learning ICT skills. The study concludes by providing an overview of each principal in relation to the primary topic. The three principles discussed are Collaborative learning, Engagement and Active learning. All of these principles are components of effective learning and are considered to be the features of constructivist learning (Jonassen, 1998, p-215-237). The efficacy of project based learning in cross cultural context is outside the scope of this study. Collaborative Learning Vygotskyan view on collaborative learning (as cited in Helle, Tynjälä, & Olkinuora, 2006, p. 297) proposes that there is a greater possibility of students gaining a higher level of understanding than what they (students) would achieve through self l... ... middle of paper ... ...L’s claim in fulfilling the criteria for student centred learning. Engagement, Active learning and collaborative learning are some of the important factors that affect effective learning. This study (review) has been drawn and extended to examine the efficacy in the development of secondary school students’ ICT capabilities. The methods adopted by different research examples reviewed in this paper suggest that PBL is capable of providing a student centred, authentic and collaborative learning environment. Even though there is not much research in the successful implementation of active learning in ICT. A student oriented feedback based approach coupled with a periodic check on learning milestones can be used to build an effective model for experiential learning. The importance of these checks can be extended to promote an equal distribution of learning outcomes.
Markham, T., Larmer, J., & Ravitz, J. L. (2003). Project based learning handbook: A guide to standards-focused project based learning for middle and high school teachers. Novato, Calif: Buck Institute for Education.
Project Management is a concept of making the project successful through knowledge, processes, methods and experience. Every project is unique since it needs the same mythology of the methods but the circumstances are always different. The success rate of a project can be derived from the output it produces, outcomes or benefits, according to a criteria within agreed budget and timescale.
If you are a parent or plan to be a parent, Do you want your child to sit in a desk all day while the teacher lectures them on information that they need to know for life or would you rather have your child learn constructively? Constructivism has been labeled as the philosophy of learning that proposes learners need to build their own understanding of new ideas (Constructivism and the Five E?s,2001). Learning something new, or attempting to understand something familiar in greater depth, is not a linear process. The purpose of this research paper is to explain the theoretical foundations of the constructivist approach to teaching and learning, and to provide concrete examples to show the effectiveness of the constructivist approach with respect to student learning.
Blumenfeld, P. C., Solloway, E., Marx, R. W., Krajcik, J. S., Guzdial, M., & Palincsar, A. (1991). Motivating project‑based learning: Sustaining the doing, supporting the learning. Educational Psychologist, 26(3 & 4), 369‑398. Available October 17, 2002, from Professional Development Collection database: http://search.epnet.com
Currently, there are debates about whether this book is suitable for a high school class. This paper will evaluate its appropriateness in a sophomore English level class at the Applied Technology Center. The Applied Technology Center is a public high school in the Montebello Unified School District (M.U.S.D), which has a unique method of teaching commonly referred to as Project- Based Learning.
Cooperative learning has been discussed by Kagan & Spencer, (1994) as teaching strategy in which small teams, each with students of different levels of ability, use a variety of learning activities to improve their understanding of a subject. The World Education Inc. (2009) said it refers to teaching practices that provide opportunities to students to learn together in small groups. This means that students work together to accomplish learning outcomes, therefore this is a collaborative effort or social approach to learning. To name but a few techniques, under this method as listed by Kagan &
Collaborative learning is a situation where two or more people attempt to learn something together. Dillenbourg, P. (1999). Lev Semenovich Vygotsky, (born in 1986), introduced his theory that, human development—child development as well as the development of all human kind—is the result of interactions between people and their social environments. What this states is that the development of a “higher education” is the product of comparing and contrasting ideas of others ultimately to conclude a solution to a problem as a whole or group. Everyone’s input in a collaborative situation will play a role in final solution.
Piaget’s cognitive constructivism promotes the PBL approach since PBL makes learners acquire knowledge by doing hands-on projects with groups (Ntombela, 2015; Richhey, Klein & Monica, 2011; Simpson, 2011; Smith, 2015). It is apparent that the characteristics of constructivism theory, which are associated with a range of design features of language instruction, support the implementation of PBL. Constructivist learning changes passive learners to active learners who individually construct their knowledge and learning (Ntombela, 2015). With PBL approach, learners need to search, collect, filter necessary information, self-structured meaning from their learning in particular subject areas, and build perceived knowledge to problem-solving situations
Collaborative learning is an educational approach that involves groups of learners working together to reach a consensus through negotiation to solve a problem, complete a task, or create a product (Bruffee, 1993). Learning occurs through active engagement among peers, wherein the main characteristics of collaborative learning are: a common task or activity; small group learning, co-operative behaviour; interdependence; and individual responsibility and accountability (Lejeune, 2003).
Projects can be completed individually or as a group and assesses academic learning goals, how well students work together cooperatively, and individual accountability.
Scarnati, J. T. (2001). Cooperative learning: make groupwork work. New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 67(Fall), 71-82.
ICT's vital role cannot be ignored in increasing attainment to education as well as preparing better quality education (Gutterman et al, 2009). Education has not been untouched by the pervasive impact of information and communication technology. No doubt that ICT has influenced the quantity and quality of teaching, learning, and research. ICT, in concrete terms can improve teaching and learning via its engaging and interactive content; and it can prepare real opportunities for individualized teaching. ICT has the potential to speed up, enhance, and deepen skills. It motivates and engages students in learning. It also helps to connect school experiences to practices and to develop economic viability for future
When planning a new project, how the project will be managed is one of the most important factors. The importance of a managers will determine the success of the project. The success of the project will be determined by how well it is managed. Project management is referred to as the discipline that entails the processes of carefully planning, organizing, controlling, and motivating the organization resources so as to foster and facilitate the achievement of specific established and desired goals and meet the specific criteria of success required in the organization (Larson, 2014). Over the course of this paper I will be discussing and analyzing the importance of project management.
Active involvement in class discussions and incorporating technology are techniques that could be used when trying to engage student’s interests. Interactive based learning provides an opportunity to become actively involved in the discussion instead of just listening to an instructor throw huge amounts of information their way. Using technology is a way for students to become active in their learning. Tools such as interactive white boards enable children to engage in classroom games, view websites, and review problems step by step. As technology is advancing students rely on teachers integrating technology into their lessons more frequently. In traditional lectures the teacher gives a large quantity of material, but if the student is not paying attention, does learning occur? By incorporating learner response devices where students can electronic...
ICT have become commonplace entities in all aspects of life. Across the past twenty years the use of ICT has fundamentally transformed the practices and procedures of nearly all forms of exertion within business and governance. Education is a very socially focused activity and quality education has traditionally been connected with strong teachers having high degrees of personal contact with learners. The use of ICT in education lends itself to more student-centred learning settings. But with the world moving swiftly into digital media and information, the role of ICT in education is becoming more and more essential and this importance will continue to grow and develop in the 21st century.