“Tell me and I will forget, show me and I may remember; involve me and I will understand.”
― Confucius
Until I started my Ph.D. program at Northwestern University, learning for me was all results-driven accumulation of knowledge rather than a process-driven meaningful engagement. Not knowing how to pose questions of real impact, let alone pursue solutions, I had to learn all about learning in its true sense one project at a time. It was never too late for me then and it is never too late for anyone who is reading this now to learn the way it matters – Project-based.
Especially for young learners out there, there is a whole new world awaiting them to learn in a way that matters to them, to the community, and the whole world. It is a learning process that makes innovators out of them with future-ready skills.
Most commonly referred to as Project-Based Learning, this learning process leaves the cookbooks behind and engages children to acquire knowledge and skills through exploring, collaborating, and solving real-world problems and challenges. That’s exactly how I learned during my research days and children of today can and should now! Click here for the latest developments in Project-Based Learning.
Project-Based Learning Compared to Other Learning Styles
Textbook learning: “Your daily household habits could lead to wasting a lot of energy, money and damage the environment”
Watch and learn: Watching a video of “how your daily habits lead to wasting a lot of energy, money and damage the environment”
Do and learn: “Implementing the instructions to save energy after watching the video”
Design and learn: “Solution-oriented approach that engages students to come up with important questions, investigate, collaborate and solve problems creating real-impact learning” For example, a small scale, at home, Project-Based Learning can be as follows:
- Ask a powerful question: Can a change in our daily habits save energy so that our planet stays healthy for our kids and grandkids?
- Research, find gaps: Over a period of a few days find how energy is being wasted around the house like long showers, leaving indoor and outdoor lights on, cranking up the thermostat, etc.
- Propose and implement energy-saving ideas.
- Compare measurable data: Analyze differences between pre and post-energy consumption using energy usage graphs in monthly electricity bills.
- Interpret and suggest measures: If your hypothesis is right, then suggest measures like the timer on the lights and showers, solar-powered lights, etc.
Why is Project-Based Learning powerful?
Power of connection and relevance: If you don’t care, your brain doesn’t care. When the big question is student-driven or inquiry-driven, the brain forms strong neural connections and will help them see patterns, generalize and connect to other learning experiences. Click here to learn about the power of relevance.
Power of choice and freedom: When students’ voices and thoughts are engaged at every step, they will approach the learning process with responsibility, accountability, and authority. The more power they have, the more involved they are in the learning process.
Power of accomplishment: The “I” factor in the learning is very powerful. When the students are involved in the learning process, the pride and joy in reaching the goal will increase their self-worth and self-confidence.
Self-motivation: The feeling of fulfillment and accomplishment attached to learning will serve as a powerful self-motivating factor to go beyond goals and learn just for the love of learning. Click here to learn about powerful self-motivating techniques for learning.
Power of collaboration: The learning process is enhanced when students come together, break boundaries, exchange ideas, and draw upon each other’s strengths to work towards a common goal. It also encourages active listening, tolerance, openness and adaptability.
In conclusion
In order to even appreciate the present-day problems and prepare for the future ones, one needs to think beyond procedural or cookbook learning methods. Project-Based Learning embraces the 4Cs needed to succeed in 21st-century society – Creative thinking, Critical thinking, Communication, and Collaboration. Click here to learn about the importance of 4Cs. It’s time to step into the playing field, start acquiring knowledge through actively exploring, engaging, and collaborating in real-world and meaningful projects.
*Theme picture credit: Marlene Leppanen-Pexels
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