Project-based Learning vs Traditional Learning: Which is better?
Educational institutions started transitioning from traditional classroom learning to project-based learning. As a parent, you might have heard about this and thought, what’s the buzz all about and you may not know what it means exactly. You are your child’s first teacher after all, so of course, you want to know why schools are suddenly starting to implement it.
Before you get confused about the differences, keep in mind that both learning systems are proven effective. The education system is continuously innovating teaching methods so that children can learn and retain knowledge better to equip them for the future.
In both methods:
· Teacher acts as a guide
· Critical thinking is developed
· Encourages problem solving
· Learning is self-directed
· Self-assessment and group reflection are encouraged.
Why is there a need to change the teaching method?
The one size fits all teaching is another concept that is associated with traditional learning. This method of teaching establishes that all students, regardless of their abilities and innate skills, must develop their training at the same pace using the same tools, to reach the same level of skills, knowledge and abilities. With this, they develop unique exams that set the bar at the same height for all the students.
However, students are different from each other in many ways. Each of them has his own ability, style of learning and type of intelligence or his own pace of absorbing information. So, can we get the students to attain the same level of education using different methods that adapt to their unique circumstances?
Traditional Learning
When deciding between project-based learning and traditional learning, the amount of information delivered through each approach is a very important factor. In general, it is thought that traditional learning offers a far more comprehensive way of learning because the lectures are packed with information, which is lesser in project-based tutorials that are primarily driven by the students themselves.
In traditional learning, knowledge is divided into the forms of subjects that focus on their own content and rarely communicating with the other subjects.
The reality is that the adult students will face real problems that are not compartmentalized because problems don’t belong to a single subject. A person can only solve problems when he can integrate the knowledge of different disciplines. Unfortunately, this is not brought to the classroom. There are not many teaching experiences that try to see the reality from diverse points of view.
Traditional learning:
· Is often short-term
· Is single subject centered and uses real world scenarios and problems
· Aims to find the best solution to a provided problem, students work to find this solution
· Provides feedback upon student submission or request.
Project-based Learning
Project-based learning (PBL) is a method that takes a “learning by doing” approach where students actively participate in their own educational development. In a PBL classroom, you will find the students solving problems, joining simulations, conducting case studies, and designing research projects. This method let students explore real - world issues and develop solutions to inspire change locally and globally.
Project-based learning:
· Typically takes place over a long period of time
· Is multidisciplinary and often based on a real-world task
· Begins with instructions and background, and ends with a presentation of work or product
· Encourages student/teacher interactions through periodical “check-ins”
Overall, project-based learning offers a long-term multi-disciplinary goal based on real-life or real word problems or challenges that push students to use a myriad of skills which includes teamwork, critical thinking and peer/teacher engagement.
When it comes to preparing the next generation for the future, education is always a primary concern. Traditional learning is being challenged by the changing complexities of life. Research in the learning methods has opened new horizons in Project-based learning which has caught the attention of policymakers around the world to introduce into their education system.
Why you should go for project-based learning
Now that we know the similarities and differences, let’s discuss the advantages of project-based learning. Here are other reasons why project-based learning is better and far more effective:
1. Scope of Work
Students learn to understand the entire scope of the project and put the implementation into a structure under their teachers’ guidance.
2. Real world problem simulation
Project-based learning focuses on allowing students to face real world situations simulated in subjects. They learn by doing and develop new passion, hobbies and choices for new careers.
3. Improves student’s interpersonal skill
Projects given are more complex than the assignments given in traditional learning. Whether in the different stages or the entire approach of the project, they are able to improve their communication skills because they need to collaborate with the people involved in the project.
4. Develops their concept and creativity
Given real world situations in their projects are more capable of drawing out the student’s attention and capturing their interest to bring out the appropriate level of thinking to apply new knowledge in a problem-solving context.
5. Identifies the actual knowledge
It points out in depth knowledge and experience of the students and sometimes of teacher. Student develop their skills and knowledge while traditional learning has shorter span of memorizing based experience resulting from a routine approach.
6. New style assessment
Students capabilities to observe, survey, and investigate is assessed by the teachers to be able to determine activities and events based on their interests. Students are able to hone their observation and analyzing skills. Teachers directly assess the skills development among students when they perform their project tasks.
7. Choose real world problems
Students can choose a project that is according to their interest in selecting a real-world problem presented in the project. They can choose projects that could involve creating apps through coding that can help ease peoples’ lives.
8. Field trips to sites of real-world problems
Who doesn’t love field trips? One significant feature of project-based learning is field-sites visits by students and teachers as needed in the execution of the project which open new ways of learning and collaborating with new people and those involved in the project.
9. Direct demonstration of capability
Teachers have a bigger opportunity to assess their student’s capabilities in performing activities and events in the project.
10. Inclusion of technology
Projects selected by students according to their interest involve computers and the internet, as well as interactive whiteboards, GPS devices, and cameras.
11. Tracking of progress
Teachers and students can track their activities in the project given to the students to resolve real world problems.
12. End-to-end problem-solving skills
Students have chances to develop observation, survey, research, reporting, presentation, communication skills, and collaboration with people involved, team building, and leadership in the end-to-end problem solving approach of project-based learning.
More reasons here why project-based learning is better than traditional learning.
Giving students projects to work on is better in recent years, rather than have them sit in class and speaking it out for them. With projects, children go out on their own, learn on their own and have a better understanding of the topic. Students learn how to take up the initiative to know more about their chosen topic. Gaining knowledge should be fun and interesting and children should engage themselves in real-world situations.
Interested in 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 to18. 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.
Enrol your child now in Skill Samurai!
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