Project-Based Learning

by Alejandra Garcia

Many public schools teach with traditional methods, and they have been successful in the past; however, with technology on the rise, these traditions must change to accommodate what the students know and love. This can be done through project-based learning, a teaching method that engages students’ interests and motivation to learn.

The activities used in project-based learning are generally done by groups of students who are working together toward a common goal. This allows students to reflect on their own ideas, exercise their voice opinions, and finally make decisions that affect the learning process.

The activities in project-based learning are designed to solve problems that would generally come up in everyday learning and work that is done in the world outside of the classroom. Although the activities are done by groups of students working together, students’ performance is also assessed individually by taking into account the quality of the product that is produced, and the depth of understanding within the activity.

Project-based learning is a technique used in some public charter schools, such as ACEL Fresno Charter High School. At ACEL, project-based learning meaning learning everywhere, and learning outside of the classroom in order for students to be prepared for college entrance and/or careers.

ACEL’s project-based learning program integrates the development of students’ skills in using technology with history/social science, mathematics and English/language arts. For the ACEL students, this means no benchmark tests and no test prep, and the projects are worked around the curriculum.

Dave Childers, principal of ACEL Fresno, says, “Learning doesn’t happen in a square; life is learning.” With this position in mind, Childers invites community members to visit ACEL in an effort to make a connection between the students and the Fresno community. Childers says this connection gives students a reason to return to the Fresno community after they have completed their education and to continue to contribute to society.

Just one example of ACEL’s community service is the volunteer services they provided to the Community Food Bank in Fresno before their 2009 winter break. Both the staff and students helped the Food Bank by packing food boxes for future food distribution and by sorting and packaging pounds of tangerines for distribution. This community service was a great opportunity for ACEL students to experience the true value of service learning while giving back to the community through project-based learning.