Use of ICT in Project Based Learning

 
                            Use of ICT in Project-Based Learning

         What is Project-Based Learning?

    Project-based learning is more of teamwork and collaborative learning. The teams or groups resolve relevant problems in collaboration, fostering student interaction and teamwork and reinforcing interpersonal skills. like peer evaluation, working with group dynamics etc. are the key components of project-based learning. It is an instructional approach designed to give students the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills through engaging projects set around challenges and problems, they may face in the real world. The goal of teaching through project-based learning is to give students the necessary knowledge and skills in order to achieve their project. It is an opportunity for the learner to return to the traversed path,  analyze and consolidate specific methods, transfer what they have learned to new and different situations, and integrate the knowledge and know-how experienced. In short, the use of technology in project-based pedagogy seems to be recognized by both teachers and researchers as a strategy that can increase student motivation in teaching-learning activities. 

          Project-based learning is discussed in this video in more detail.  

          History and Concept of Project-Based Learning

        Project-based learning was conceptualized by Socrates for the first time in history. He believed that asking and probing questions helps students to evaluate their own understanding of the topic logically to determine the validity of those ideas. Since then, Aristotle, Confucious, Frobel, Comenius, John Dewy, Maria Montessori, Pestalozzi, Kilpatrick and Jean Piaget advocated in more detail and about the innovative dimensions of project-based learning in classroom education. The main theme or concept of project-based learning is that we should guide our students through research to identify a real-world problem for which they must develop a solution using evidence to support the claim. They must present their project using a multimedia approach based on a set of twenty-first-century tools.

          ICT and Project Based Learning

            The use of ICT tools in project-based learning is very essential to get a deeper understanding of mathematics education. Teachers use a variety of methods and digital tools to engage students' understanding of the subject matter in easy way to teach mathematics education in the classroom. 

    If we use different technologies during our project-based learning activities in the classroom, it will help to deliver clear concepts about the subject matter. The use of ICT in project-based earning will help the students to engage actively in the learning activities. If we are assigning a project about             Pythagoras' theory and its uses to our students in class 10, the concept may not be familiar to the students the first time. With the incorporation of  ICT tools and technologies in the class, students will search and discuss Pythagoras' theory and its application and can easily generalize concepts and their uses. . It will create interest in our learners and they can understand more easily about the concept. Similarly, various tools of ICT can be used in different topics and lessons in our classroom. 

ICT tools to use in project-based learning 

    GeoGebra: Geogebra is a mathematics-related software. Using GeoGebra, we can visualize the concepts about mathematical objects. The calculation process can be done in the easiest way by using GeoGebra. Most of the schools have smart boards at this time, so by using the GeoGebra tool, topics like menstruation, geometry, set, trigonometry, probability and statistics can be easily delivered by the teacher to the learners.  If the teacher assigns project work for students, then the use of GeoGebra may be very effective in these teaching-learning activities. 

           To explore more on GeoGebra Please Click Here: GeoGebra  

    Mathigon: Mathigon is another powerful tool that may be very helpful in project-based learning. Despite being in the developing phase, Mathigon is considered an important tool that may be used in teaching-learning mathematics. It also covers mathematical figures, charts, formulae, nets, mathematics and its history etc. While working on project-based learning, both students and teachers can use these tools to make their concepts clear and easy way. 

           To explore more about Mathigon Please Click Here: Mathigon 

    Khan Academy: It is yet another powerful site that is very useful for math students these days. Khanacademy provides practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard, allowing students to study at their own pace both inside and outside of the classroom. It covers math, science, computing, history, art history, economics, and other subjects. It is a very effective and useful tool for improving the effectiveness of project-based learning.

           To explore more about Khanacademy Please Click Here: Khanacademy 

Advantages and disadvantages of ICT assisted Project-Based learning 

 

    Everything has its own pros and cons. Similarly, ICT in project-based learning has its own advantages and disadvantages, which are listed below:

Advantages:

•          Students are more active and responsible 
•          Students are more active and responsible
•          Every student can participate according to his or her learning style, according to his or her strong sites and will achieve better results.
•          Students are more motivated to discover, and more confident that can be useful.
•          Develops a variety of social skills such as communication and collaboration and working in group negotiation
•          Accommodates different kinds of intelligence and 21st-century skills such as communication, collaboration, creativity, problem-solving and critical thinking.
•         Encourages the mastery of technological tools.
•         PBL make students better prepared for real life.
•         ICT-assisted PBL enhances digital literacy.

Disadvantage:

Teacher-related problem: 

•To incorporate PBL into the school curriculum

•To find the driving question

•To create appropriate projects

•The real-time needed for the project development could be longer than the planned time

•To provide all needed resources for students by the school

•The setting of common deliverables for disparate projects.

 Student-related problem: 

•Participation in the project based on personal preferences rather than questions needed

•Collecting data need not always be full data collection, connection with ICT tools

•Managing their time and activities

•Developing logical arguments to support their claims and proper use of ICT tools.

• Active participation in the learning process

                                                                     Conclusion

            Project-based learning is more of teamwork and collaborative learning. The teams or groups resolve relevant problems in collaboration, fostering student interaction and teamwork and reinforcing interpersonal skills. like peer evaluation, working with group dynamics etc. By applying this method in our classroom, students are more active and responsible as well as autonomous to propose and find solutions, and they use their prior experience and knowledge of technology. Every student can participate according to his or her learning style and strong sites and will achieve better results. Students are more motivated to discover, and more confident that can be useful. It also develops a variety of social skills such as communication and collaboration and working in group negotiation. Accommodates different kinds of intelligence and 21st-century skills such as communication, collaboration, creativity, problem-solving and critical thinking. Encourages the mastery of technological tools. PBL make students better prepared for real life. ICT-assisted PBL enhances digital literacy. So, project-based learning with ICT has multidimensional significance.

 

                                                                      Reference

Stephein A.,Darhim, Prawanto S. (2020). Mathematical representation ability through GeoGebra-assisted project-based learning models, Journal of Physics: Conference Series 1657 (2020) 012019 IOP Publishing doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1657/1/012019

 Garcia,C.  (2016). Project-based learning in a virtual group, Collaboration and learning outcomes in virtual training course of teacher. Consuelo García / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 228 ( 2016 ) 100 – 105

 Moursund, D. (1999). Project Based Learning Using Information Technology. Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education.

 7 Ways To Integrate Technology For Successful Project-Based Learning - eLearning Industry

 Top 7 Web Tools for Project-Based Learning (projectpals.com)

ICT-Assisted Project-Based Learning Plan: Sample and Discussion (walkwithmikeebee.blogspot.com)

 20 Examples Of Project-Based Learning - (teachthought.com)

What is Project Based Learning? — Magnify Learning (magnifylearningin.org