I do hope the contents are really useful to any educator who explores new learning and how to integrate ICT in learning and teaching for better results.

Technology integration is what makes project learning "pop". Children are engaged in learning in order to "present" project results. No matter how it is downplayed, competition drives children to have the best technological project results. I like it!

Students have the skills to participate in Project Based Learning projects. They are already skilled at embedding videos, photos, widgets, etc into their MySpace and Facebook accounts.

We just have to take those existing skills and show them how to use them on a collaborative project and you will be amazed at what they can produce if given the chance.

I must admit to being completely intrigued by the concept of project-based learning. It is so true that learning with a purpose is learning at its very best. Curriculum geared towards the interests of our students is so much more relevant and worthwhile. This approach would also provide a sustained learning experience, teaching children to "stick with it" to the end and see the fruits of all their efforts.

This approach seems totally adaptable to learners of all ages as well. As a second grade teacher, that is really exciting to me.

This article has really gotten me excited about all the possibilties of teaching. I found this to be quit informative. I have found through personal experience in my classroom that students do preform better in class, and are engaged more when they are working in cooperative groups. I have also seen ways to improve the use of these groups. I agree with the statement made above about being able to contour projects based on the students needs. Would literature groups also be included in this project-based learning? One of the teachers in my school does a new project for each novel they read, once they made a brochure, took a ceral box and designed it based on the components of a story, and now they are making wind shoots (not really sure what they are called). These students are getting a deeper understanding of novel. I think that it has to be a useful tool. This article really sparked my interest for making lesson more project- based.

Both in my student teaching at an inner city school in St. Paul, MN and in my current semi-rural highschool, I have witnessed the enthusiasm students have for project based learning.
Even though the initial set-up is time consuming and getting students moving on a project can be difficult, the rewards are well worth the effort.
In my opinion, the best part of project based learning is the ability for one class to create an interdisciplinary assessment without truly being an interdisciplinary task.
Writing in mathematics, art in english, mathematics in social studies; the combinations endless.
Students also enjoy project based learning because students get to work together to accomplish a goal that employs each of their individual talents.

I read this article and wanted to puke. This article contradicts everything what teachers are trying to do.
First, projects do not allow students explore real world problems. What it does is that it narrows their exploration only to one specific issue whereas all the worlds problems should be explored.
Secondly, working in small groups there will always be at least one person who is not going to participate with the other members. For "team building" there is something called athletics and clubs.
Third, the individual who took the time to write this article needs to go back to the university. Any individual who teaches their students to "retain knowledge" should be out of the profession. There is something called "Blooms Taxonomy" that most teachers use.
Lastly, I am unable to recall if the SAT has "group projects" on it. I know when I took the GRE exam I did not see anything on there about project learning.
In conclusion I would like to end with a couple of questions. For those of who took the GRE how did you prepare for the test? by doing projects? Or, was it by reading and writing? Did you have anybody help take the GRE? For those of you with your MA. Did you formulate thesis, reasearched your thesis, and defended your thesis? Did you do it by yourself, or were part of a small group?

It is correct to assume that learning focuses on individual skills in reading and writing. I have found that knowing how to read and write becomes a prerequisite for project based learning and students soon find this out. It is true that as students move towards higher level thinking the requirements are based on their individual skill levels but research supports situated learning environments in order to scaffold learners who would otherwise fail. At the same time shared knowledge strengthens the understanding of even those students who one might assume to be "brilliant". There should be a balance in everything we do as educators, and of course we learn to apply strategies based on various conditions. The ability to discern is primarily what makes a good teacher.

Do you often get sick when having to learn new things? Maybe you are allergic to education. Students need a balance when it comes to learning. They can digest and spit out all the facts in the world but it won't do them any good if they can't apply the knowledge to do something useful. The reality in the classroom is you have to have students doing more than reading and writing. Anyone who has taught computers in the classroom knows hands-on training is the only way to learn new software. Reading and writing about topics play an important part in the classroom, but so does actively engaging students in projects that require them to utilize knowledge gained from more than one subject. They learn how to communicate with peers as well as one of the most important skills--how to work together to achieve a common goal. I suggest you brush up on 21st century teaching methodology, but more importantly, don't just read about, try it out in your classroom. You just might be surprised.

When was the last time you used memorization and test taking skills after your GRE or SAT? What information do you remember from studying for your GRE and SAT? Are we preparing students to take a test or are we preparing them for their careers? Where I work, I must work with, motivate and try to get along with teachers and administrators of all kinds; some who like to take charge and others who like to do nothing but get paid. The focus of my job is to think out of the box and how to actively engage students in the learning. Taking tests is the least likely way to get them interested in a subject. Nobody is feeding me the answers on how to attain this. There is no one answer for me to circle when my Head of School wants a study/project done. I need to formulate the question, research, present my findings and sell it to my peers. Project-based learning is what our students need to be doing because that is what they will need to do in their future careers; unless i suppose they want to be a 20th century teacher who is the sage on the stage...