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Interdisciplinary Project-Based Learning Leads To Success
Interdisciplinary Project-Based Learning Leads To Success
Project-Based Learning
Leads to Success
By James Anderson
JANDERSON@greenville.k12.oh.us
P
ROJECT-based learning try harder. Project-based learning and developing relationships with
and academic integration connects new learning with students’ the students, community, and indus-
are integral parts of the past knowledge and experiences. try partners is an ongoing task. The
automotive technology Involving business and industry rewards for the program, however,
program at Greenville partners has been a huge benefit and most important the rewards for
High School. This Ohio comprehen- for my program. Working with local the students, outweigh the extra
sive school has used both of these business people develops people time required to keep the initiative
strategies for the past 15 years and
their success is reflected in nine
state SkillsUSA gold medals and one Automotive
bronze, in addition to eight gold med- students observe
als earned at the national SkillsUSA operation of an
competition. In this article, I describe incline plane built
these elements of instruction and in partnership
show how they work together in my between students,
program. teachers, and
community
Background members. The
on Project-Based Learning plane is used
Project-based learning is a com- to measure
prehensive approach to instruction. coefficient of
It involves development of a project friction of motor
related to a career field. This engages oils.
students—and gives the instructor
the opportunity to encourage team- skills that students can use all their moving forward. In my program, co-
work, problem-solving skills, and lives. They learn that all people are taught with Travis Nicholas, projects
community involvement. This meth- individuals with both similarities and are always related to the latest tech-
od of instruction allows for a variety differences. They learn to express nology in the automotive industry.
of learning styles. It can be adapted their thoughts clearly and that col-
for projects that may run just a week laboration and compromise are es- Project Details
or two in duration or, on the other sential skills in working successfully Students choose or are grouped
hand, can be a yearlong process. with others. into teams to work toward the com-
Project-based learning provides a Also, our industry partners have mon goal of completing the construc-
“real world” experience in a risk-free made many donations for student tion of the project. The teams might
environment. It uses the hands-on projects including new vehicles and include roles for photographers,
approach to learning, which leads to components. In addition, students builders, solicitors to the community
fuller understanding of the subject and instructors have taken field trips for support and supplies, design-
matter. Students have responsibility and tours to manufacturing facilities, ers, PowerPoint developers, or web
for—take ownership in—their own including Honda, GM, Chrysler, and page controllers. Instructors monitor
learning, which motivates them to Toyota assembly plants. student work and students adhere
In project-based learning, the strictly to a timeline to ensure com-
James Anderson is an automotive teacher is the facilitator of learning. pletion in a timely manner.
technology teacher, Greenville (OH) I’ve found that project-based learning Some work is done during lab
High School. is extra work for instructors. Building class that meets the National Au-