“Be the change you want to see in the world.”
- Mahatma Gandhi
Motivating and engaging students in active learning is challenging even for the most experienced teachers. Due to students’ different learning styles, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, prescriptions of either a “one-sizefits-all” approach or the “cookie-cutter” approach do not necessarily gear them towards achieving high standards.
The suggested Project-based Learning is important in the learning process. It is touted to be the approach and means o achieve the 21st century skills. Loving away from rote learning and memorisation, Project-based Learning builds on individual strengths, and allows individuals to explore their interests in the framework of a defi ned curriculum. Project-based Learning is holistic in nature and incorporates the principles of providing challenging and complex work, interdisciplinary and encourages cooperative learning. Project-based Learning also lends authenticity to learning. While in practice, practitioners plan, implement and evaluate projects in real-world situations beyond the classrooms.
Hence, this Project-based Learning Handbook serves as a reference for educators thinking of, or perhaps intending to start off Project-based Learning activities in their fi elds of practice. In this handbook, the essence of Project-based Learning is simplifi ed and presented in various sections where users are given a brief “walk-through” of project-based instruction. It outlines the approach, and how it can be utilised to increase students’ engagement and knowledge retention. Alternative assessment tools and rubrics are introduced to evaluate project-based activities. To enlighten users, a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and how to avoid pitfalls in the “Dos and Don’ts of PBL” are enclosed. Finally, a list of resources for further reading is provided for users to gather more information on Project-based Learning and its implementation.
“The journey of a thousand leagues begins from beneath your feet.”
- Lao-Tzu
What is Project-Based Learning?
Project-based Learning (PBL) is a model for classroom activity that shifts away from the usual classroom practices f short, isolated, teacher-centred lessons. PBL learning activities are long-term, interdisciplinary, student-centred, and integrated with real-world issues and practices. It is a method that fosters abstract, intellectual tasks to explore complex issues. It promotes understanding, which is true knowledge. In PBL, students explore, make judgments, interpret, and synthesise information in meaningful ways. It is more representative of how adults are asked to learn and demonstrate knowledge.
