How Project-Based Learning Encourages Lifelong Learning
The most successful people admit they are constantly looking to learn more about their area of expertise as well as other fields that happen to interest them.
Knowing the importance of lifelong learning and its impact on success, educators are working to encourage and foster that lifelong learning approach in students. The shift in this mindset to go from results-driven to lifelong learning is best achieved with project-based learning. As the education system shifts to fit the needs of students, it is becoming clear that results-driven education does not prepare students for real-life challenges that they may face in the workforce.
We live in a project-based world.
What is Project-Based Learning (PBL)?
Project-based learning (PBL) is hands-on and is used by educators from elementary through doctoral higher level education. This approach allows students to investigate a relevant issue in their world whether it be their immediate world like within their school or the community of their extended world that could be global issues. Teachers use this technique to make sure that students gather information and develop their skills by working on a project for a longer duration. It supports the students in working on complex questions while learning to apply that knowledge in a real-life situations. In the past, most students were assigned a project for them to demonstrate mastery o material already learned. The opposite is true for PBL. The project starts at the very front and is what drives the learning for the students. Their own curious nature to learn and explore their world is what drives deeper learning, engagement, and connection to the material. “A new body of research shows that project-based learning (PBL) can be effective in improving students’ academic performance and attempts to define some of the key practices that are essential to PBL,” Kristin De Vivo, executive director of Lucas Education Research, a division of the George Lucas Educational Foundation shares the importance and relevance of shifting to PBL.
PBL Gives Real Results
Students in project-based learning classrooms across the United States significantly outperformed students in typical classrooms.
Scientists discovered that nearly half of students in project-based classrooms passed their AP exams and outperformed traditional classroom students.
It’s not just AP students with PBL that outperform traditionally. Michigan State University found that project-based learning outperformed traditional teaching methods for students in a variety of school systems across the United States. Students improved in their academic performance across grade levels, economic demographics, and reading comprehension.
Project-based learning, as opposed to short-term memorization and quantitative regurgitation, provides learners the opportunity to connect and engage with content which leads to long-term retention.
In addition to studies supporting PBL for higher scores and mastery of the material, PBL also offers lifelong skills and benefits to prepare students for today’s project-based workforce.
- Teamwork
- Leadership skills
- Communication
- Critical thinking and analysis
- Self-discipline
It shouldn’t be surprising that PBL improves students’ technological abilities due to its emphasis on 21st-century skills. Additionally, it fosters a creative approach to solving problems because students have ownership of their education and work and they in turn are more invested in the outcomes.
CFCA’s mission means preparing leaders for tomorrow. A strong leader will be a lifelong learner, have high emotional intelligence, and have the skill set to problem solve and pivot to meet the needs of those they lead. Through PBL, the collaborative nature of projects encourages Emotional intelligence growth and other leadership skills such as building relationships, reducing team stress, defusing conflict, and improving job satisfaction. The PBL approach that is implemented at CFCA will combine academic achievement and personal growth for students so that they can be prepared for the challenges they will face outside of school as an adult working and leading. If you are considering making a move to a school that will foster and encourage lifelong learning through PBL, reach out and schedule a tour with us today.
