Project-based Learning

The issues raised about project based learning in the project based learning space http://college.cengage.com/education/pbl/background.html correspond with the discoveries I have made with a major paper I have been writing regarding the role of interaction on achievement in online learning. The research that I have explored support these agreements.

“Support is Essential”
According to research, feedback from the instructor is a key component of achievement in online courses. The type and consistency of that feedback is as important as the interaction itself.

“Questions Developed from Novice Learners are Essential”
These questions engage other learners in interaction. This type of interaction helps students feel supported and can build a learning community which is essential to achievement in online learning.

“Focus on Teacher Knowledge and Classroom Environment is Essential”
The way that a teacher designs and organizes a course will have a huge impact on the success of the course as well.

I really appreciated this video from the George Lucas Educational Foundation website. It shows how you can incorporate that learning interaction into the classroom. This particular example was for teaching math in the upper elementary grades. You can view it here. http://www.edutopia.org/math-social-activity-sel-video Also from the George Lucas website and on the topic of math Eeva Reeder talks about her experiences with project based learning and assessment. I appreciated all her comments. I wish somehow she could have got into more detail about how she got started with this approach as one of the responders to her article expressed.

All of this focus on project-based learning and interaction excites me. I really believe that this will work and I want to start coming up with ways to make this work in my classroom and then consequently share this with others.

Angie