Most people would then follow up with the question: why do we need a new system of learning? The traditional one doesn’t seem so bad. But then most people also do not consider the changing times, societies, and lives. The current traditional classroom learning is being challenged greatly by the continuous changes in life that are requiring educational transformation. For instance, PBL effectively integrates technology in the various settings of the education system. These projects involve computers, cameras, whiteboards, and so much more. It is crucial that these students learn to use technology all the while learning, which is done effectively via Project-based learning (Larmer et al., 2015).
Additionally, with PBL, students can face authentic life problems and learn how to solve them accordingly, through simulated scenarios in project form. They develop new ideas and skills, and at the same time pick up new hobbies, interests, and desired careers. With lecture-based learning, it is very hard for students to do this (Capraro, 2012). Moreover, both the students and teachers are able to track their activities within the PBL system, an aspect that has always been missing in traditional classroom settings.
Furthermore, students are also able to pick up basic work ethic. This is possible through the stages they have to undergo, when choosing a project, scoping, planning, actual performance, as well as tracking. Also, they learn how to manage uncertainties that come up as they complete their projects, and grasp presentation skills that will be valuable all their life. Throughout the process they gain priceless communication skills, learn team work from group dynamics, leadership, and reporting skills (McKenzie, 2012). The skills these children learn in PBL will be useful to them in all other aspects of their life, including managing a household, and presenting an idea at work.
Overall, “Project Based Learning recognizes that everyone has different learning styles”.
PBL is more closely associated with 21st century learning than perhaps any other form of learning. PBL should be thought in every school, at every level. Maastricht Universities, In The Netherlands, which ranks number 90th In the world and one of the world ‘s well respected university, where PBL was originally introduced, entire curriculum is PBL based. Medical schools, all over the world uses PBL as the preferred method to educate students. Many students like myself that suffers from a learning disability would’ve benefit greatly from a program, such as PBL. It’s taken me 20 years to complete an associate degree because of my inability to grasp numbers. Had PBL curriculum been available at any of the instructions I attended, I would’ve gotten the knowledge I needed to complete a college degree, and went on to becoming a therapist. Parents, students, and educators are desperately looking for alternative ways to communicate vital information to children, that aren’t able to learn in a traditional manner. This is a game changer. This will grant them a shot at a degree, at a career, and a shot at learning useful and necessary life skills, that’s needed to exist in the world we live in.
