A project based learning curriculum is a way to more fully integrate knowledge and ideas from all members of a cohort, class, or team. With the trend toward student-led discovery as a curriculum model, the project based learning process is becoming more prevalent. The problem of how to incorporate PBL into the coursework of an online educational environment has been addressed with the rising availability of software, websites, and applications that have been created with collaboration of sometimes far-flung team members in mind.
The process itself seems simple. Project Based Learning is an activity or group of activities whereby students can develop ideas, identify a usable procedure, contribute individual experiences and knowledge, and create together a final project to share with others their process and findings (Tyson, 2013), Certainly this methodology has been used for as long as educations has been formalized, but in the twenty-first century, the accessibility of the internet and availability of user friendly tools have streamlined the process, and made it much more possible in the virtual learning environment.
A few tools that are accessible, user friendly, and effective for the Project Based Learning model are Google Apps, Prezi, and Moodle (Sabo, 2105). Moodle allows students to create groups, and offers a monitoring option for instructors to track progress and input. An in program messaging system keeps communication flowing and on track and can be used solely for classwork, keeping a student from becoming sidetracked or distracted while working. Prezi is used in many online courses and others on distance learning platforms, as an alternative to Microsoft Powerpoint. The dynamic nature of Prezi presentations can be more engaging than those created in Powerpoint, and because it is a web-based platform, looks the same on all computers. Students can form a group, log into a single prezi from anywhere and add input to create a group project.
Google Apps are effective, user friendly, and able to be edited in real time. The use of a google doc allows input and editing from all users with access at the same time, allowing for an open exchange of information, and immediate interaction. Google Hangoutscan be used on phones or computers to hold group meetings, and is useful for face-to-face discussions among members. Messages and edits can also be saved for all members to review at a later time, allowing for interaction between members in different time zones to be less complicated.
A combination of the above applications and programs supports interactive project based learning in the twenty-first century, as ‘classroom’ can now mean a host of things other than a typical classroom environment!
other than a room in one place where everyone must go at the same time.
other than a room in one place where everyone must go at the same time.
other than a room in one place where everyone must go at the same time.