Fostering Inquiry: How Project-Based Learning Sparks Curiosity in Students

Project based learning is an approach through which teachers make learning come alive for students.

Project Based Learning (PBL) is a teaching-learning methodology, which facilitates and encourages learning by engaging students in real-time projects. PBL helps students acquire, understand, and apply knowledge.

Students are assigned a project that they complete over an extended period, throughout the unit. It engages them in solving a real-world problem or answering a complex question. They demonstrate their knowledge and skills by creating a model or presentation.

Case study

During the unit on Simple machines, the fifth graders were made to understand the different types of simple machines and its uses through the project-based learning approach.

Initially they were asked to build a model of an elevator. After learning about the various simple machines, they were asked to use these simple machines in their newly constructed elevator.

Their application of knowledge was taken forward in their summative assessment task.

With one project work, students were able to:

• Present their understanding on the combination of different simple machines used in an elevator.
• The evolution of elevator over time with the incorporation of latest technology and innovation.
• The different materials and metals that are suitable for manufacturing an elevator.
• This project helped them to develop their collaboration and communication skills. With the extensive research work, they enhanced their research skills too.

As an educator, it was a great learning experience for me too. The PBL approach helped me to develop a strong relationship with my students. They were curious to find various ways to design a futuristic model of the elevator. By doing this they discovered lot of information about the properties of metals and their respective uses.

Benefits of Project Based Learning approach

• Students develop profound knowledge about the topic.
• It enhances their collaboration, creativity, and communication skills.
• It helps students to bring out their uniqueness and think out of the box.
• Project Based Learning brings out a contagious, creative energy among students and teachers.
• It also helps students to use higher order thinking skills and learn to work as a team.
• PBL builds a deeper understanding of a concept and helps students by developing a longer retention span of the knowledge attained.
• PBL helps students develop and demonstrate problem-solving skills. It assists students in the identification of critical problems of a project and finding solutions to those issues.
• PBL helps students to take better decisions.
• PBL learning promotes the integration of various topics into a single project.
• Students become more interactive with teachers and peers which in turn helps them to build up their confidence level.

I am sure using the PBL methodology in class, the entire teaching fraternity will benefit with its vast scope of learning. As a teacher we can estimate the amount of time and resources required and plan accordingly to give our best for an impactful learning experience.

By Parna Mukherjee

HRT Grade 5