Module 5: Exploration of Project-Based Learning with Conceptual Knowledge
Objectives:
Learners will be able to:
- Identify the connection between project-based learning and conceptual knowledge.
- Find the correct balance of conceptual and procedural based questions when creating their own quiz.
What is Project-Based Learning?
According to pblworks.org, "Project Based Learning (PBL) is a teaching method in which students learn by actively engaging in real-world and personally meaningful projects."
How does it work?
Students will be working on a project over an extended period of time. It could range from a week to many months. It truly does not have a strict timeline. This project engages students in solving a real-world problem.
Students can develop deep content knowledge as well as:
- Critical thinking
- Collaboration
- Creativity
- Communication skills
Quick Question: Is project-based learning the same as just "doing a project"? Keep your answer in mind throughout this module!
How might project-based learning differ from what you think of as a "project"?
Traditional "projects" usually come after the teacher is done with the lesson and they serve as more of a supplement to the lesson. While project-based learning can be thought of as the "vehicle for teaching important knowledge and skills." Unlike traditional "projects" (often referred to as "dessert projects"), project-based learning does not have as much structure and often forces students to collaborate and put their "problem-solving caps on".
Why is project-based learning important?
Project-based learning helps prepare students to be ready and willing to tackle challenges in their own lives and in the real-world. Project-based learning gives students a better opportunity to apply their newfound knowledge to new situations. Research shows that "PBL can help students be successful in today’s rapidly changing and complex world, by developing a broader set of knowledge and skills as well as improving academic achievement."
How Does Project-Based Learning and Conceptual Knowledge Connect?
As stated above, project-based learning forces students to use critical thinking and problem solving skills to solve a real-world problem. As you probably already know, solving real-world issues does not always come with a certain series of steps to follow! Finding the solution takes a lot of conceptual knowledge rather than procedural knowledge. Additionally, when doing project-based learning, students are more apt to apply their knowledge to new situations because what they learned from the project was very meaningful to them and their lives. If you recall, a huge aspect of conceptual knowledge was connecting knowledge to new situations. Project-based learning does just that!
Here is a great video that summarizes the perks of project-based learning!
Now is a great time to add to your journals under "module 5 notes."
Activity Time:
Now it is time for you to do some independent work! You have been given all of the information that you need on conceptual vs. procedural knowledge. It is now time for you to apply your newfound knowledge to an activity!
Here are the instructions:
You are tasked with creating your very own math quiz.
- In this math quiz, it is completely up to you on the grade level.
- It is completely up to you on the topic covered.
- You have to decide how many conceptual questions you will be putting on the quiz versus how many procedural questions that you are putting on the quiz.
- There is not a specific amount of questions required, however, this quiz should take around 30 minutes.
- You should be doing this quiz on either Google forms or Google docs!
Templates:
Here is a Google Forms template for you to use:
Here is a Google Docs template for you to use:
*Remember to make your own copy of the Google Doc or Form before editing.
Example:
If you are looking for an example, please refer to the pre-test that you took back in module 1.
Here is the link:
Conceptual vs. Procedural Pre-Test
In this pre-test, my ratio is around 50/50 for conceptual to procedural based questions. Yours does not have to match mine! Additionally, this pre-test does not have specific math answers. In your test, you would want it to be ready to hand out to students! This pre-test is more of an example of how your quiz could look on Google Forms!
Completion:
Upon completion of your own created math quiz, you will analyze your quiz. Here is a Google doc with questions that I would like you to answer briefly!
*Please remember to make your own copy of this doc and then edit!*
Wrap-up!
Thank you for reading through my mini-course! I hope that you leave with more knowledge than when you entered! I will be excited to read any or all of your thoughts within the embedded Google Docs and Forms!
If you would like to return to my portfolio page, here is the link: