Marrero Middle School

Project Based
Learning
12/01/2009
Benefits of Projects Volume 1, Issue 1

Project learning, also known as project-based learning, is a dynamic approach to teach-

ing in which students explore real-world problems and challenges, simultaneously devel-
oping cross-curriculum skills while working in small collaborative groups.

Because project learning is filled with active and engaged learning, it inspires students to
obtain a deeper knowledge of the subjects they're studying. Research also indicates that
students are more likely to retain the knowledge gained through this approach far more
readily than through traditional textbook-centered learning. In addition, students develop
confidence and self-direction as they move through both team-based and independent
work.

In the process of completing their projects, students also hone their organizational and
research skills, develop better communication with their peers and adults, and often
work within their community while seeing the positive effect of their work.

Because students are evaluated on the basis of their projects, rather than on the com-
paratively narrow rubrics defined by exams, essays, and written reports, assessment of
project-based work is often more meaningful to them. They quickly see how academic
work can connect to real-life issues -- and may even be inspired to pursue a career or
engage in activism that relates to the project they developed.

Students also thrive on the greater flexibility of project learning. In addition to participat-
ing in traditional assessment, they might be evaluated on presentations to a community
audience they have assiduously prepared for, informative tours of a local historical site
based on their recently acquired expertise, or screening of a scripted film they have
painstakingly produced.

Project learning is also an effective way to integrate technology into the curriculum. A
typical project can easily accommodate computers and the Internet, as well as interac-
tive whiteboards, global-positioning-system (GPS) devices, digital still cameras, video
cameras, and associated editing equipment.

Adopting a project-learning approach in your classroom or school can invigorate your

learning environment, energizing the curriculum with a real-world relevance and sparking
students' desire to explore, investigate, and understand their world.
Marrero Middle

Marrero Middle
School

4100 7th Street

Marrero, LA 70072-
2213
(504) 341-5842

We’re on the web!

Jppss.k12.la.us/
marreromiddle

Projects Some of the Classes are Working On!

One of the projects that the stu- Orléans, under the direction of
dents will be working on is New Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bi-
Orleans in Pictures. This project enville. The site was selected
helps the kids experience New because it was relatively high
Orleans and the French Quarter ground along the flood-prone
with leaving the classroom. They banks of
will look up information on differ- the
ent pictures either they bring, look
lower
up or pick out. I think this project
Missis-
will be a great learning experi-
sippi,
ence for our students, because a
and was
lot of our students have never
been to the French Quarter Be- adjacent
fore. So this will be the first time to the
they are seeing a lot of these trading
buildings and monuments. The route
students will have to look up a and port-
history and describe what it is in age be-
the picture. For example the pic- tween the Mississippi and Lake
ture to the right is a picture of the Pontchartrain via Bayou St.
New Orleans City skyline, New John. This will help students
Orleans was founded in 1718 by learn the history of their city and
the French as Nouvelle- see its natural beauty.