10 Reasons Project-Based Learning Is Better Than Traditional Classroom Learning
Schools and institutions began transitioning from traditional classroom learning to project-based learning. Instead of introducing books, modules, and paper examinations to your children, teachers use a more interactive learning process through project-based learning.
In this case, students will have newly improved learning opportunities with fast-moving technology and society. Traditional learning has been very effective since then, so why do schools start to introduce project-based learning instead?
Before answering this, let’s first identify the scopes of traditional learning and project-based learning.
What is Traditional Classroom Learning?
In a traditional learning setup, students focus on lectures, lessons, and tutorials led by the teacher. The primary foundation of knowledge is the teacher, whilst the students are only listening to their seats. Traditional classroom learning also focuses on face-to-face learning processes with an in-person standardised teaching curriculum.
Other than that, the traditional learning system tests the child’s knowledge through standardised test administration. The students should be in a similar place, time, and pace of learning to test their acquired knowledge and school performances.
What is Project-based Learning?
The project-based learning approach is a new instructional method from which the students can learn knowledge and skills using engaging activities, tasks, and challenges. It highlights critical thinking and problem-solving skills for the students to work on a project independently. Aside from that, project-based learning caters to students to “learn things by doing.”
Books, thick modules, homework, and standardised tests are beyond the new learning style of project-based learning.
To identify how project-based learning improves your child’s learning process, here are the pieces of evidence.
Why is Project Based Learning more effective today?
Today’s new educational system has developed a better learning method for your children using project-based learning. It is far different from traditional classroom learning that had been used at schools before.
But today, you’ll see more of their differences and how project-based learning should be available in all schools and institutions.
#1 Focuses on real-life situations and simulation
Project-based learning features real-life world issues and examples. So, it teaches more ideas and skills that your child can apply in the real world.
One common lesson about this is the proper way to apply math in real-life situations. Through this, school activities will begin with a shopping-like task where your child can learn computation by counting their purchases, expenses, and balance using play money.
In this case, instead of letting the child just think of numbers and solve it, they will have a chance to see how it works in real-life settings. As a result, it will significantly mark their memories that will transfer as stored knowledge.
Traditional learning setup focuses on teachers as the primary source of information. It also uses lectures and reading-writing tasks. However, project-based learning allows students to experience the challenges and learn from them independently. It will enable them to observe, try, and feel all the different activities to adopt the structures and familiarise the project.
As a result, students can learn all new skills as they collect experiences whilst accomplishing their projects. Besides that, your children will also discover new things with little supervision instead of traditional spoon-feeding lectures.
#2 Develops interpersonal skills
Project-based learning encourages students to participate in the learning process. It also opens a chance for your children to communicate with their peers and other students. They can enhance their social skills to prevent inferiority complexes and other social issues like bullying.
Other than these, project-based learning offers group activities to improve kids’ leadership skills. They will also learn how to listen to everyone and share their ideas.
Whilst your child enhances their social skills, they could also learn how to connect with other people which they will use in future tasks like surveys, research studies, and collaborative projects.
#3 Uses a new assessment system for student
Traditional classroom learning assessments are through standardised tests and examinations. They also do homework and other quizzes after each lesson. Then, the scores are only corresponding to your child’s memory, not to their overall understanding.
But then on project-based learning assessments, teachers are considering varieties of aspects using a Rubric method. In this new assessment system, children are assessed through their development of skills and performances. Teachers are only verifying the child’s observations and investigation within the activities and events assigned to the students.
#4 Fosters creativity and innovation skills
Instead of putting children inside the four-cornered room, project-based learning expands children’s horizons. How? It offers hands-on and realistic learning experiences through field trips, experimentation, and lab challenges. Through this, your child will learn new discoverings resulting from generating more techniques and strategies.
Afterward, the collection of their training will help them build new things and create better inventions they come up with.
#5 Provides actual knowledge
Traditional classroom learning is common for providing theoretical knowledge and conceptual information. Teachers are just telling their students about it, saying some examples, and narrating the benefits. So, some students are just listening without retaining the primary information in their minds.
On the other hand, project-based learning focuses on giving actual knowledge that will remain in your child’s mind. It will let them fully understand the whole concept because they have seen it first-hand.
#6 Gives you new learning opportunities for all kinds of students
Learners have different learning styles. Some are visual learners, and some are tactile learners. So, the learning process they acquire should be suitable for them. As a result, they will learn easier and excel more in classes.
In traditional learning, it also highlights visual learners and linguistic learners due to books, modules, and essay activities. However, project-based learning caters to all types of learning styles as it opens varieties of pleasurable activities for all students.
So, project-based learning is really universal and applicable to any kind of learner and any lesson.
#7 Opens fun tasks and teaching methods
Another exciting aspect of learning through project-based learning is the offered activities. Instead of daily lectures and essay writing, your child will be able to practise different skills through available activities. They can enjoy games, experiments, movies, puzzles, step-by-step instructions, and other fun educational activities.
In project-based learning, they will learn to do things independently whilst making their decisions after finding solutions. It will shape their minds and prepare them for any situation. Most importantly, they would not feel bored, tired, or stressed because they could enjoy the new learning setup.
#8 Promotes technology in education
Before, teachers only used chalk and blackboard. For students, they only use paper, pen, and crayons. However, in project-based learning, teachers and students can use different tools and equipment to improve their education. They can use laptops, smartphones, projectors, and other technological devices to make the learning process easier, quicker, and more comfortable!
Other than that, utilising technology inside the classroom or even in virtual classes will bring out a child’s creativity in technology. It will help them become digitally literate which is a demand of today.
#9 Prepares for future career opportunities
The traditional learning process has resulted in great philosophers, scientists, and professionals. However, the world is changing, and it requires the educational system to upgrade, too. In this case, schools and institutions should also develop a new project-based learning setup to generate more philosophical individuals, scientists, and other professionals.
Furthermore, the new project-based education system will also open new doors for computer sciences and other technological advancements in the future! As a result, your children and their generations will acquire better career opportunities in all the fields common today, particularly in the coding field.
What school offers project-based learning?
Skill Samurai is a kids coding school that offers a project-based learning approach. This school is an after-school care program that gives hands-on learning experiences to boys and girls ages seven to 18. In this program, your child could learn and practice coding for kids whilst attending robotics classes for kids, programming classes for kids, and computer classes.
Other than that, Skill Samurai prioritises a project-based learning setup for their learners to acquire knowledge and skills through code learning for kids. They are also using tools, equipment, and devices with useful applications and applications to offer your child’s best learning experience. Moreover, Skill Samurai prefers a better way to improve student achievement and exam results through a project-based learning system.
What are you waiting for? Enrol your child now in Skill Samurai!
