Rote memorization, in simpler words, learning things by heart through repetition, is something which everyone dislikes from childhood. Though in kindergarten it may sound fun, yet after a point of time, memorizing things becomes burdensome, and an important factor in arousing disinterested feelings among students. It is more sensible always, therefore to understand things, instead of ‘mugging’ them up robotically.
Another, rather effective way of learning is the Project Based Learning. It motivates and enhances the interests of students, as they are required to investigate into interesting problems by themselves. This helps them in determining their ability and confidence too. This motivation is something that they need lifelong.
The twenty first century witnesses the high level of curiosity among students, and it is this inquisitively, that must be channelized effectively to produce hard working and intelligent generations. It is no doubt that Andrew Curry of Jessieville School District, emphasised on this kind of learning. He said that it were the teachers, who needed to change their methods of teaching, to such lengths as to arouse maximum curiosity and motivation among students.
Project based learning employs another thing of attraction for young learners- the technology. The teachers can hence strive to incorporate as much technology as possible to get the projects done. The more you revert to things that are interesting to the students, the more they get interested and put in effort. This in turn gives them a better and deeper understanding of concepts.
Andrew Curry of Jessieville School District mentions, that it is the job of the teachers to inculcate both motivation and technical issues of learning and thinking in the child. He further emphasises the use of technology, if the need arises. Getting students involved in these various projects helps them to think of the ways and methods that can be used to solve the problems. This is the foundation stone of confidence. This is how they learn to analyze a particular situation and get prepared to face the challenges with confidence.
In educating through the project based learning method, one thing that should not be forgotten, that is not to leave the student absolutely in isolation. The teacher should be able to provide the assurance that he/she is present there and ready to assist whenever the student seems to lose direction. The teacher should make sure to keep the student interested in the project by giving them just enough help that is required to keep them going.
Project based learning according to Andrew Curry of Jessieville School District have numerous benefits in bringing up a healthy minded child. It gives a broader base to knowledge, enhances the communicative and social skills (as they have to interact with other people to complete their project), gives impetus to the leadership qualities, improves the writing and polishes the creativity skills.
The contributions of this type of learning are numerous. The real life problems are also catered to once the child gains confidence from the problem solving act in various disciplines. They invariably apply their problem solving strategies whenever faced with real problems. No amount of paper based learning or rote memorization can provide the kind of educational impact that Project based learning is capable of.