Project-Based Learning Overview

Basic Conceptions of Project-Based Learning

• Project-Based Learning (PBL) is a teaching method where students actively learn through real-world, meaningful projects, investigating and responding to complex questions or challenges.
• PBL connects school and life, making learning a lived experience for students.
• A key figure in the historical background of PBL is Dewey, who advocated that school be a child's residence, enabling them to learn directly through life.

Theoretical Framework - Historical Background of PBL

• John Dewey believed that schools should connect with students’ lives, making them places where students learn directly from their experiences, instead of a classroom where students are given tasks.

What is Project-Based Learning (PjBL)?

• PjBL is a teaching method where students gain knowledge and skills through real-world projects.
• Projects tackle authentic, complex problems or questions.
• PBL leads to a deeper understanding and better retention of information.
• Students improve their ability to apply learned knowledge to new situations.
• Key figures, mentioned in various sources, include Dewey, Thomas, Polat, Boss, Yakovleva, Larmer, Lenz, Rahmawati, Murtazina and the BIE.

Project-Based Learning as a Contemporary Approach in Education

• PBL is an instructional strategy crucial for 21st-century education, enabling students to master 21st-century skills and content.
• PBL is essential to achieving 21st-century educational goals.

Project-Based Learning as a Contemporary Approach in Foreign Language Education

• Language projects provide opportunities for foreign language learners to enhance their communication abilities in authentic contexts.
• PBL allows students to set and evaluate their own learning goals, focusing on content and related skills.

Distinguishing Features between Project-Based Learning and Traditional Projects

• Traditional projects often have teacher-led activities, teacher-based assessments, and teacher-evaluated exams, with projects submitted to the teacher.
• PBL projects involve project launches, rubrics, creating a need-to-know list of steps, activities, workshops, lectures, homework, research, labs, benchmarks, simulations, and formative assessments.
• PBL involves public presentations, reflection, and revision.

What are Benchmarks in PBL?

• Benchmarks in PBL are the sub-tasks or building blocks required to complete a project.
• These pieces of a project are individually assessed and break down the final project into digestible chunks for students.

Project-Based Learning vs. Project (Graphic)

• This graphic visualizes the differences between a traditional unit with a culminating project and a PBL unit.
• PBL units have a "launch" that involves an entry event, a rubric, and "know/need to know" lists.
• Activities, workshops, lectures, research, labs, and homework are important parts of the PBL process.
• There are benchmarks, which represent stages of assessed learning, in the PBL cycle, followed by public presentations and reflections.

Project-Based Teaching Practices

• Project-Based Teaching Practice has three levels; Beginning, Developing and Gold-Standard PBL.
• Different phases of PBL practice include Design, Align, Assess and Manage.
• Key factors, such as student learning goals, coaching, reflection, content, authenticity, and choice, are detailed at each step.

What Theories is PjBL Based On?

• PjBL is based on various educational theories emphasizing active, experiential and social learning procedures.
• Key theories include Constructivism, Social Constructivism, Experiential Learning Theory, and Inquiry-Based Learning.

Constructivism

• Students construct their own understanding of the world through experimentation and experience.
• Inquiry-based and Project-Based Learning are both extensions of constructivism, building knowledge based on a need to know.

Vygotsky's Contribution

• Learning occurs through social interaction and environment.
• Community plays a central role in the meaning-making process.

PBL in Kazakhstan

• The study examines the current state of PBL implementation and awareness of these methodologies in Kazakhstani education.
• The research analyzes compliance with gold standard PBL principles.