Project-Based Learning is the practice of engaging in activities that teach a range of different subjects in one project theme. Instead of teaching isolated subjects in separate lessons, project-based learning encourages a more natural and holistic way of learning.
CambriLearn’s online schooling curriculum bridges the gaps in education, by breaking away from content-fed lessons into a culture of interaction, discovery and mastery.
Research has shown that Project Based Learning allows students to learn more meaningfully, retain information longer and develop critical thinking skills, which are imperative in real-life situations
In this article, we will look at some of the benefits of project-based learning and discuss how online schooling provides the perfect platform to encourage learning through self-discovery.
Project-Based Learning Ideas
Creating a vegetable garden is a great Project-Based Learning activity. When a child creates a learning garden they can engage in lessons that teach mathematical concepts by measuring the perimeter of the garden or calculating how many seeds they will need, as well as geographical concepts by paying attention to weather patterns. All whilst building an understanding of the importance of nature in their daily lives and how to grow their own food.
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Understanding Project-Based Learning
The philosophy behind Project Based Learning is that children take complete responsibility for their learning by asking enquiring questions.
Project-Based Learning also encourages higher-order thinking skills by encouraging students to consider many different solutions before deciding on one. This type of education incorporates many skills across several topics, and learning becomes more complex, meaningful and profound.
John Piaget, a world-renowned Swiss psychologist known for his work in social-emotional child development, said “Knowledge is a consequence of experience”. Piaget was an advocate for project-based learning and believed that child-directed and child-managed education was the key to natural learning.
Benefits of Project-Based Learning for homeschoolers
- Retain Information: Research has shown that children learn better when they are actively interested in the subject matter. Project-based learning is more interactive and enjoyable for children and thus helps stimulate optimal knowledge retention.
- Problem Solving: Children learn how to solve problems that are important to them, including real-life issues. Project-Based Learning encourages children to experience and learn from small failures and gives them the opportunity to start over and find alternate solutions in a more natural way – that doesn’t damage their self-confidence.
- Creativity: Project Based Learning is all about natural discovery, where children find information and knowledge by exploring the world around them. The activities are fun and educational, so children can use creative skills to solve real-world problems in practical ways. Children apply creative thinking skills to innovate new designs and possibilities for projects.
- Collaboration: Parents or tutors work with their children to create a learning environment where they feel comfortable - sharing ideas and working on projects that will help them collaborate better in the future.
- In-Depth Understanding: Children learn through hands-on experience, building their research skills and deepening their knowledge beyond content-fed facts or memorisation.
- Self-Confidence: Children become more motivated through self-discovery. This helps them find their voice and teaches them to take pride in their work, boosting their confidence and purpose.
- Critical Thinking: Children learn to look at problems more critically, asking questions and coming up with possible solutions for their projects.
- Project Management: Children learn how to manage projects and assignments more efficiently. This includes time and resource management.
- Curiosity: Children get to explore their curiosities, ask questions and develop a genuine love for exploration and learning.
- Empowerment: Children take ownership of their projects, reflecting on and observing their personal progress and accomplishments. There is more buy-in from a child when they are actively involved in the learning process.
Project-based learning encourages future success
The job space of the future will look very different to the one we know today and parents need to consider if their child’s schooling is providing them with a future-ready education. Factors like globalisation, automation and the growth of the gig economy mean predictable and repetitive jobs are increasingly uncommon.
Realistically, many current students’ careers will involve working on a series of projects. Therefore, it makes sense for them to have experience with project-based work, along with the knowledge and skills required to be a successful project team member.
A flexible online schooling environment is a perfect platform for Project Based Learning and one in which you can prepare your child for a successful career by introducing them to a project-based world.
Too often, traditional learning never ventures beyond the domain of the purely academic. Project Based Learning connects children to the world beyond the classroom and prepares them to accept and meet challenges in the real world in a way.
