Have you had several attempts at implementing project-based learning in your classroom that ended up failing? Back when I was a computer teacher, my students used to come to my computer lab to work on project-based learning, which they wrongly interpreted as a traditional topic report instead of an investigative report tailored to respond to a driving question.
I landed on a solution to this problem when I read “The Challenges of Implementing Project Based Learning in the 21st Century Classroom” by Tara Tally, who pointed to the lack of basic skills that students required before they engage in the inquiry process that is required in PBL.
In order for PBL to be successful in the classroom students need to acquire a basic skill set, such as:
- How to do research
- How to collaborate
- How to manage the project
If this is the same problem you have been struggling with in your classroom and were pondering how to successfully implement project-based learning in your classroom, let me tell you how I resolved the problem in my classroom.
Thing#1: How to do research
Research is an essential skill for engaging in project-based learning.
I decided to train my students on research before they start any project. I found Kathleen Morris’ “How to Teach Online Research Skills to Students in 5 Steps” internet resources. Kathleen is a blogger and primary teacher who is passionate about digital literacy. She is using infographics and guides on how to research, how to use Google and evaluate websites, as well as 50 ideas for research-related mini-lessons.
By going through this course, students were able to utilize their newly acquired research skills to easily conduct research for their projects.
Thing#2: How to collaborate effectively
Even in the most forward looking school with well adapted teachers and students, projects are doomed to fail if teachers did not prepare students to work collaboratively.
Since I could not find many resources that teach students how to collaborate, I decided to research the subject and create an E-Book titled “A Beginning Guide to Collaboration Best Practices” that you can use to train yourself and your students to collaborate effectively.
By dedicating time to create this E-Book, I made sure that students will not stumble at every instance of disagreement they encounter.
Thing#3: How to manage the project
One of the biggest obstacles in trying to adopt PBL is lack of project management skills.
As project management resources for students are scarce, I decided to create an E-Book titled “A Beginner’s Guide to Project Management,” that you can use to train yourself and your students to manage projects effectively.
By training students to manage their projects, they were able to lay out a structured project flow that made it easier for them to execute easily.
Training students to do research, collaborate effectively and manage their project became a game changer. It may take you a whole academic year to train students with all this basic skills, but it is well worth it. Having students do a project after acquiring all these skills turned their project work into a walk in the park.