PMH PROJECT BASED LEARNING 2008

Project Based Learning Rationale

Project-Based learning "is a

great way to immerse students
in a fun, rich, and challenging
learning environment. Based on
real-life learning simulations."
By Dan Page

Why would we use Project-Based Learning?

The current focus of education encourages knowledge
attainment but fails to provide students with the
necessary skills to use knowledge effectively. Despite the
fact that test scores are high, standardized assessments
are often a poor indicator of future success.

Currently, students are disengaged and unmotivated with

the education process. They see education as a collection
of facts that have no relevance or importance to the
outside world. The problem is that in schools students are
told what to learn not how to learn.

Project-Based Learning is a rigorous, relevant, and

engaging education model that promotes self-directed
learning and “helps make learning relevant and useful to
students by establishing connections to life outside the
classroom, addressing real-world concerns, and
developing real world skills.” (Project-Based Learning With
Multimedia, para.4)

  Parramatta Marist High School 2008
 PMH PROJECT BASED LEARNING 2008

The effective implementation of Project-Based Learning

redefines the classroom environment as teachers are no
longer distributors of knowledge, but they are participates
in the learning process with the students. The focus of
Project-Based Learning involves planting a seed in
students and watching it grow as they “retain what they
learn rather than forget it as soon as they disgorge it for a
test” (Curtis, 2001, para.18)

What would students gain from working in

this environment?
Students who participate in Project-Based Learning
become lifelong learners. They gain increased motivation
towards their own education because Project-Based
Learning “provides opportunities for students to pursue
their own interests and questions and make decisions
about how they will find answers and solve problems.”
(Project-Based Learning With Multimedia, para.2)

The ability to collaborate and work as a team is a skill that

is imperative in any environment. Project-Based Learning
creates an environment where students “learn how to
collaborate, and their social skills improve. They are more
confident talking to groups of people, including adults”
(Curtis, 2001). Consequently, students who participate in
Project-Based Learning will develop collaborative skills
that traditional instruction fails to provide.

Education is not just about content coverage, but about

the development of essential skills that will prepare our
students for the post-school world. In June 1991, the
Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills
(SCANS) released a report that examined the nature of the
global workplace. It concluded, “that more than half of our
young people leave school without the knowledge or
foundation required to find and hold a good job” (SCANS

  Parramatta Marist High School 2008
 PMH PROJECT BASED LEARNING 2008

Report, p.8). As a result, the Partnership of 21st Century

Skills Organization was developed to provide schools with
a suitable framework for the implementation and
assessment of 21st Century skills. These skills include
creativity, innovation, critical thinking, problem-solving,
communication, collaboration, information literacy, media
literacy and ICT literacy skills. Consequently, the focus of
Project-Based Learning is on the development of skills that
provide students with the foundation for lifelong learning.

Project Based Learning Stakeholders

The major stakeholders in this project include:

• Students: Students will have to adapt to the new

learning environment, which will require them to
demonstrate effective organisation, communication and
work ethic. However, the online learning environment
will provide students with a number of benefits
including "instantaneous access to information and an
ability to cross geographic boundaries, more suited to
the post-industrial notion of school education" (Finger,
Russell.G, Jamieson-Proctor, Russell.N, 2007, p.89)
• Teachers: Teachers are an important aspect of the
implementation of online learning environments. It is
their willingness and success at using ICT which
determines the overall success of the project. It is also
essential that teachers "spend considerable time and
effort matching the curriculum activities and resources

  Parramatta Marist High School 2008
 PMH PROJECT BASED LEARNING 2008

to student needs, interests and learning styles" (Finger

et al, 2007, p.114)
• Parents: Parents need to be ensured that this teaching
and learning style will not hinder the educational
progress of their child. In order to provide more
authentic assessment parent's may also be required to
participate in the assessment process.
• School Executive: The school executive need to show
direction and vision relating to the changing shift in
educational practices. In order to ensure success they
must provide teaching staff with appropriate
professional development opportunities. Finger et al
(2007) states that teachers will require reskilling
especially in regards to assisting students in the
synthesis and analysis of information for the web,
knowledge of current ICT practices and the confidence
in the use of multimedia materials (p.94).
• ICT Staff: The IT department of many schools are often
understaffed and at times have to deal with trivial
requests that burden their ability to address major ICT
issues and problems. It is hoped that the ICT
background of the staff implementing the online
community will not further burden the integration of ICT
within the school.
• External Entities: It is anticipated that project0based learning will create and
maintain strong links with the wider school community. Individuals and
organizations may be asked to assist in the assessment of projects, which provide
students relevant and meaningful feedback from professionals

Project Based Learning Structure

The structure of the project has been broken up into FIVE main
stages which are similar

Stages Events

  Parramatta Marist High School 2008
 PMH PROJECT BASED LEARNING 2008

• Introduce the Driving Question to the class.

Project Roll • Present the the Entry Document to the class.

Out • The class will construct a Need to Know List after reading the entry
document.
• Group organisation will take place. Groups can be selected by a variety of
methods, including:
o Teacher selection.
o Student selection.
o Lotto.
• Once student groups have been organised, each group must fill in their
Group Contract which will be used to manage groups appropriately.

• Groups are also required to map out the distribution of tasks via the
Project Calendar.

• Students start each lesson with an addition to their Online Journal.

Questions posed often require students to analyse a moral decision.
• Groups will discuss the Need to Know List and focus their investigation
Investi

on what they need to know.

gation

• Throughout different stages of the investigation process students will

have access to different Resources. It is anticipated that most students
will be able to find the majority of resources themselves.

• Groups will be required to initiate at least TWO Group Meetings to share

each members preliminary findings.

• Students will be presented with the Rubric which communicates the

exact nature in which they will be accessed.
• Students will continue with their Online Journal but will also be required
to participate in online class Forums.
Develo
pment

• Groups will be required to start to plan the End-Product.

• Students can request Workshops, given by the teacher concerning any
areas that they are having difficulties with.

• The class will address the Need to Know List and alter it according to
the new knowledge they have gained from their investigation.

• The teacher will visit each group with the Rubric to identify which
outcomes have been met and which one's need further work before the
project is presented.
• The class will participate in the Critical Friends Process in which each
Evaluati

group will participate in trial presentation and class members are able to
on

give meaningful feedback on what was successful and what was not
successful.

• Students will participate in a Peer Assessment regarding the teamwork

of members of their group. These marks will go towards the teamwork
assessment mark.

  Parramatta Marist High School 2008
 PMH PROJECT BASED LEARNING 2008

• Students will be required to present their projects to a authentic audience,

this could include:

Presentation
o Parents
o Members of the community
o Other teachers
o Professional of a related specific field.

• Finally students will participate in their own evaluation to identify what

they thought was successful about the project and what they did not think
was successful.

  Parramatta Marist High School 2008