Learning Through Projects in The Classroom: Project-Based Learning Guide
Learning Through Projects in The Classroom: Project-Based Learning Guide
Learning Through Projects in The Classroom: Project-Based Learning Guide
1,2
Eötvös Loránd University/ Faculty of Education and Psychology/ Institute of Education
Abstract
Project-based learning (PBL) is a teaching approach that introduces and enhances
collaboration, critical thinking, and problem solving skills. It allows students to actively
participate in class and be put into groups to create projects together. By promoting this
approach it displays collaboration among the students and explores the different perspectives
and ideas of their classmates. Project- based learning is a new way for students to enjoy
learning, be involved in the classroom, freely express themselves, be creative, and most
importantly it builds the resources of working together in a group where it is important to learn
at a young age to be prepared for their future through a hands on experience. Project-based
learning should be applied in classrooms because it strays away from the traditional way of
learning and has displayed an increase of students’ engagement in their classroom.
Nevertheless, there are challenges in organizing PBL in classrooms which will be discussed
throughout the article. The article also includes a guide and recommendations on conducting
and implementing project-based learning in classrooms. The research was undertaken using a
qualitative approach by collecting relevant literature about the relevance and importance of
PBL and semi-structured interviews with high school teachers and students from Hungary and
Palestine. The study ends with a significance for applying and using project- based learning
activities in classrooms as a new way of teaching and learning for students.
Keywords: collaboration, engagement, project-based learning, creativity, communication
1. Introduction
“I like the idea of collaboration…because it pushes you… It’s a richer experience….”
-Frank Gehry (2008)
Project-based learning is a teaching method that motivates students, prepares them for
higher education and their careers, allows them to have an in-depth knowledge about topics,
and allows students to communicate with each other. Project-based learning (PBL) develops
and improves 21st century skills, where it allows students to participate in real-world tasks
(Bell, 2010; Han et al., 2015). There are many reasons why PBL is useful and beneficial to the
students and also for teachers. Research portrays the effectiveness and implementation of PBL
for the students because it promotes their understanding and developing skills (Han et al., 2015;
Kokotsaki et al., 2016). PBL allows students to learn more and their performance in the
classroom enhances (Han et al., 2015).
228
1.1 Definition of Project- Based Learning
Project-based learning has many different descriptions and meanings, starting off with how
PBL is a teaching method that focuses on learning through projects. It is based on stimulating
and thought-provoking questions or problems that encompasses students in design, problem-
solving, decision making, and investigation (Jones et al., 1997; Marx et al., 1994). Blumenfeld
further supports project-based learning and explains two key components for projects; there
should be a driving question or problem towards the goal of the project and the project should
result a final product that discourses that driving question. The driving question can be created
from the teachers and students, but the results should not be prearranged because students need
to develop their own tactic towards the project. Students enhance and deepen their knowledge
through these projects by creating models, reports, videotapes, and different programs
(Blumenfeld et al., 1991). Blumenfeld (1991) also elaborates that, “Project-based learning
focuses on teaching by engaging students in investigation. Within this framework, students
pursue solutions to nontrivial problems by asking and refining questions, debating ideas,
making predictions, designing plans and/or experiments, collecting and analyzing data,
drawing conclusions, communicating their ideas and findings to others, asking new questions,
and creating artifacts for example model, a report, a videotape, or a computer program” (371).
According to Smith and Dodds (1997), PBL also indicates the theory and practice of using real-
world work using projects to attain collective learning (Panasan and Nuangchalerm, 2010).
Thomas (2000) explains that PBL is an “interdisciplinary, student-centered activity with a
visibly and clear project outcome. PBL is described by students’ autonomy, constructive
investigations, goal-setting, collaboration, communication and reflection within real-world
practices” (Kokatsaki et al., 2016). Blumenfeld (1991) also delves on how PBL is an in-depth
approach to classroom teaching and learning where it promotes students’ engagement and
collaboration. Helle, Tynjälä, and Olkinuora (2006) add three other aspects to PBL, firstly that
the learner controls the learning procedure through the time, content, and arrangement.
Secondly, the students produce genuine projects, and thirdly, PBL emits different results from
the projects (Helle et al., 2006). Therefore, PBL is an instructional method centered on the
learner, it strays away from the traditional mode of teaching and learning. Through projects,
students have a hands- on experience with real life tasks, can explore new topics, and learn new
methods and skills with combining previous knowledge from other subjects (Kubiatko and
Vaculová 2011).
1.1.1 Purpose of Research
Project- based learning is a new way for students to enjoy learning and being involved more in
the classrooms. It allows the students to freely express themselves and be creative in their
projects, but most importantly it builds the resources of working together in a group where it
is important to learn at a young age to be prepared for future employment (Brush and Saye,
2008, ChanLin, 2008). This study focuses on a review of literature that is relevant to project-
based learning to promote its benefits, challenges, and a guide for implementing PBL in the
classrooms. Then the study discusses the teachers’ and student’s perception regarding PBL
through semi-structured interviews.
229
1.1.2 Research Questions
This article tackles research questions that are optimistically answered throughout the research
about the importance of PBL for teachers and students. What is a guide into creating a PBL
course for teachers? How does PBL promote students’ engagement? Can students have a more
effective learning experience through PBL? What are the challenges of implementing and
designing PBL?
2. Literature Review
2.1 History of Project-Based Learning
Project-based learning was first discussed in 1918 in the work of Kilpatrick, where he
considered using literacy in profound perspectives can lead people to build their knowledge
and attain personal growth. He states that projects be interdisciplinary math, science, social
studies that offer learners with valuable concepts and ideas. He proposed that topics come from
the students' interests, facilitating group projects that are proposed, planned, completed, and
assessed by students. Project-based learning can be associated with a Vygotskian perspective.
Vygotsky proposes that learning arises through communication and collaboration because it
promotes students to use their cognitive functions. He explains that students will develop their
understanding and learning when they are conveying and interacting with one another.
2.1.1 Importance of PBL
There are many advantages when implementing PBL in classrooms and its benefits for
students. PBL helps adopt self-regulated learning and encourage pupils’ theoretical knowledge
through a logical process (Barak, 2012). Students learn to be independent and self-efficient
through goal-setting, designing, and collaborating in a social learning environment (Bell,
2010). Furthermore, PBL stimulates social learning where children practice to become more
competent with their communication, cooperation, and collaboration skills. The importance of
differentiation in students through PBL depicts students’ uniqueness and own interests about
certain subject to obtain a deeper learning and understanding. PBL is very much active learning
where teachers discuss with their students to enhance their skills and thoughts. This leads
students to discover themselves as learners. This form of learning develops the students’ skills
and is crucial for their future education and careers. PBL furthermore facilitates links between
subjects and presents an expanded view of the subjects (Blumenfeld et al., 1991). Thomas
(2000) discusses five main aspects to PBL, centrality, a driving question, investigations, self-
sufficiency, and realism. Consequently, research supports PBL because it engages the
students’ learning and uses relevant real-world tasks (Bell, 2010). Blumenfeld, Fishman,
Krajcik, Marx, and Soloway (2000), depicted the practice and importance of project-based
learning as, “The presumption is that students need opportunities to construct knowledge by
solving real problems through asking and refining questions, designing and conducting
investigations, gathering, analysing, and interpreting information and data, drawing
conclusions, and reporting findings” (150).
230
2.1.2. The Role of Project-based Learning (PBL) in Student Learning
It is vital for students to be able to apply what they learned from a PBL activity in their future
education. Students need to practice on learning how to collaborate with one another and have
a have a hands-on experience when performing a PBL activity. Through this method, students
are the ones in control of the learning process and the teachers are just merely the implementors
of the activity. Students are taught using a different method that allows them to merge their
knowledge obtained from the activity to real-life experiences. Students become more motivated
to learn and have a greater understanding of the subject. In order for all these positive aspects
to occur, students need to feel they are in an appropriate environment to achieve a constructive
knowledge and obtain new skills. The teachers job in this aspect is to define the target goals
and plan a proper project relevant to their knowledge development. As Petrosino (1988) confers
students succeed in their project when there is a goal set and produce a great outcome. This
coincides with Boyle and Trevitt (1997) asserting that attaining the suitable amount of learning
is for the teacher to simplify and have a clear set of goals for the students. Accordingly, goal
planning and applying is an essential procedure in the application of PBL (Thomas et at., 1999).
2.1.3 Challenges to PBL
There are challenges that teachers face when integrating PBL in their classrooms. Teachers
need the assistance and supervision to start applying PBL in their classrooms, yet schools may
not have the suitable materials and funds for organizing and managing this new teaching
method. Therefore, this article will delve into the teachers’ perspective on how PBL can be
difficult to apply in their classrooms. The teachers in this article are active and driven to
improve their teaching skills and learning about new approaches to teaching. Another obstacle
teachers face is giving most control to the students in their learning process. Teachers may
perceive this as not having full control of their class and some students might become de-
motivated to conduct the PBL activity the teacher has set in motion. Assessing students in a
PBL activity can be a challenge for teachers because they need to find the proper and fair
assessment and evaluation. Time management is a massive issue when executing a PBL
activity in the classroom because not all teachers perhaps have sufficient time to conduct and
finish the activity (Mentzer et al., 2017) (Aksela and Haatainen, 2019). Marx (1997) depicts
that teachers are challenged in promoting PBL because they mentioned how it takes effort and
time, it is an unorganized way of teaching, lack of classroom management, implementing
technology, and assessing them through projects was difficult as well. Therefore, schools need
to aid their teachers in fostering PBL in their classrooms by giving them trainings and
workshops. These trainings and workshops will benefit the teachers and allow them to
understand how to incorporate PBL in their classrooms because using new techniques and
methods in classrooms can stimulate the students and encourage them to learn. These strategies
include students’ cooperation and group work with one another, being responsible and having
a role in any group work, boosting confidence in expressing their opinions and ideas, to
promote love to learn, and allowing students to reflect on how the project went and what they
can do to make it better in the future (Herro and Quigley, 2016). Not only do teachers face
challenges in implementing a new teaching method, but students do have a hard time accepting
and reacting to a new teaching method.
231
2.1.4 Guide to Efficient PBL
There are a few recommendations as a teacher to keep in mind when implementing a PBL
activity in their class. This guide can aid teachers in adopting a successful project-based
learning activity:-
1. Supporting students: Teachers need to guide their students during a PBL activity and
offer advice and direction to ensure their productivity and a fitting environment.
2. Supporting teachers: Teachers need to feel supported as well when initiating a new
teaching method in their classrooms. Schools need to offer trainings and professional
development meetings to encourage teachers in applying PBL.
3. Group work efficiency: Students need to work together in an effective way to guarantee
the same level of participation and learning.
4. Stabilising an informative and independent approach: Teachers need to create a balance
were students gain a certain knowledge about a topic before delving into independent
work.
5. Assessment: Choosing the proper tools for assessing the students after completing a
PBL activity, either by self-reflections and evaluations or peer evaluations.
6. Student choice: Students should be comfortable during the PBL learning process to feel
they have control over their learning (Kokotsaki et.al, 2016).
Fleming (2000) also delivers a guide for teachers to promote effective PBL in their classrooms
for students. The first step to consider is significant content where teachers need to find the
proper type of project matching the curriculum standards and the learners' needs and interests.
Second step is to identify the students’ knowledge, skills, and goals achieved through the
project activities. Third step is to introduce the project and students involvement by preparing
them for collaborative work and contributing in deciding what criteria to be used for evaluation.
The fourth step is the teacher-led and student centered activities; the project should not be
presented by the teachers, but from the students. The teacher may have to provide some
instruction during the project, so that the students develop and demonstrate their knowledge
and skills to complete the project. The fifth step is to create project time lines and milestones.
PBL activity can last from two to eight weeks and teachers should consider how much of the
course curriculum is addressed through the project and how much time students will need to
complete the project. The sixth step is monitoring students’ progress through report and
feedback tools such as individual assignment checklist or peer evaluations. Next step is
evaluating the project where the teacher or group may assess the students’ work using more
than one method of assessment. Teachers can use performance-based assessments based on
individual tasks or some combination of individual and group achievements. The last step is
reflection and feedback, teachers should provide proper feedback for the students in order to
develop their skills for the next project. Students should reflect on the project and their
achievements.
232
3. Methodology
3.1. Data collection
The purpose of this study was to understand the perception of teachers and students on the
importance, advantages, and challenges of PBL. Data was collected through literature and
semi-structured interviews with 8 high school teachers from Hungary and Palestine and 7 high
school students from Hungary and Palestine.
3.1.1. Interview Questions
There were two sets of interview questions, set of questions for high school teachers and a set
of questions for high school students. The questions asked to the eight high school teachers
from Orchidea School, Hungary and Jerusalem School Bethlehem, Palestine were what is and
know about project-based learning in your teaching experience? Can project-based learning
benefit the students and give them a better and advanced experience in their classroom? What
are some project-based learning you may have conducted in the classroom? What are the
challenges that you face when trying to implement a project-based learning activity? How can
you integrate PBL into the classrooms or curriculum?
The set of questions asked to the seven high school students from Orchidea School, Hungary
and Jerusalem School Bethlehem, Palestine were, have you heard about PBL? What does
project-based learning mean to you? Have you done any project-based learning activities in the
classroom? If so what were they? What are your perceptions regarding working in a group? Do
you enjoy working in a group of individually? Does project-based learning activities give you
a better learning experience? How can project-based learning help in your future learning and
career?
4. Data Analysis
4.1 Results and Discussion
The analysis was done by data-driven qualitative content analysis with phrases and sentences
as coding units. The data consist of written answers to the following questions written above.
The data was organised for the analysis as a whole set of the teachers’ and students’ answers
where they described their perception about PBL, its advantages, and challenges. Teachers and
students from #1-4 are from Jerusalem School Bethlehem, Palestine and teachers and students
from #5-8 are from Orchidea School, Hungary.
4.1.1 Teachers Results and Discussion
The data was reduced by coding. There were altogether four codes for the advantages and five
codes for the challenges of implementing PBL. Teachers, as well, depicted their perspective on
the importance of PBL and projects they conducted in some of their classes.
233
Table 1: Advantages of PBL in teachers’ perspective
Innovative In-depth
Teacher Collaboration Creativity Confidence
teaching learning
#1 x x x x x
#2 x x x x
#3 x x x x
#4 x x x x x
#5 x x x
#6 x x x x x
#7 x x x x x
#8 x x x x
Freq 8 8 6 5 8
All the teachers found a lot of advantages of using and conducting project-based learning in
their classrooms, as shown in Table 1. Every teacher explained the importance of PBL on the
value of collaboration among the students. All the teachers explained how students can benefit
from one another by working in a team, promotes creativity among the students, and lastly,
boosts their confidence when presenting their projects to their classmates.
“The most beneficial aspect of PBL is the social interaction and collaboration students
have among each other when learning as a group” (Teacher #1).
“Collaboration is the most important thing about project-based learning” (Teacher
#4).
“Weak students work with the strong students and vice versa promotes collaboration
and learning among each other, which is very beneficial for the students especially in a project-
based learning activity” (Teacher #8).
“The main thing I think about when I think of projects is how students can learn
working with each other and learn how to cooperate” (Teacher #5).
“They can be more confident in the future, they practice their speaking skills in the
future. It promotes students to present in front of the class even if they are shy. It will help them
a lot” (Teacher #6).
“The best part of projects is that each student gets to be creative and they merge their
ideas together” (Teacher #8).
Some teachers think that PBL is an innovative teaching method that needs to be implemented
in classrooms, especially in today’s generation. Teacher #2 explains,
“PBL is an innovative and new form of teaching. I think it is important to integrate new
teaching methods throughout the classrooms, so that students don’t get bored and PBL is one
of them”.
234
“In today’s technology era, innovative tools is important to use in the classrooms and
teachers need to be updated with these new tools, and using projects in the class promotes
innovativeness and promotes different materials to use in the class”. (Teacher #5).
The last advantage most teachers discussed was how PBL contributes to an in-depth learning
for the students. Teacher #6 states,
“PBL promotes an in-depth learning for students because they have a hands-on
experience to a certain topic. Students are involved more and can attain the information
better”.
“In-depth learning is associated with PBL because students learn from each other and
are actually working on something together that enhances their learning experience. They are
working on a project for some time so that can be considered in-depth learning” (Teacher #3).
In summary, all the teachers portrayed how PBL is beneficial and important in the students’
learning experience. There are advantages to PBL that were displayed, however with any
advantage comes a disadvantage and teachers faced some challenges when trying to do a
project in class.
Table 2: Teachers challenges for PBL
Table 2 depicts the codes that were produced after analyzing the teachers interviews regarding
the challenges they face when trying to implement a PBL activity in their class. Time
management and managing a project were the hardest challenges that most of the teachers
discussed during the interview. These themes were related on how long projects take and
coordinating it in a short amount of time.
Teacher #2 stated,
“Sometimes it is hard to do in class projects because it takes time, so some projects are
at home projects. It could be hard to plan a lesson revolving just projects and actually doing it
in the classroom, you need to be prepared and manage the students through these projects can
be difficult. It is hard to manage the students during the projects because students get loud and
235
sometimes out of control. Lastly, managing these projects you need sources and tools to
implement them. The school lacks the resources to give their teachers if they need to do a
project in their classroom”.
Teacher #7 stated,
“Teachers during the day feel exhausted and tired and creating projects in the
classroom is time consuming and the class period itself is very short, so managing a project
and students in a short amount of time is tough. But they try to survive it. This is a main barrier
when trying to implement PBL in a classroom. Lastly, some teachers might not have the
appropriate tools and resources to conduct these projects in the classrooms”.
Another challenge some teachers faced was how to begin doing and implementing a PBL
activity in their classrooms. Some teachers do now have the proper expertise or ideas on how
to start PBL and what are the suitable projects to use in their classrooms on a certain subject.
Additionally, assessing students through projects was a major issue for most of the teachers.
This theme discusses the difficulty in finding a suitable assessing method for students working
in group projects. Teachers aren’t familiar with different assessment tools and usually only
grade the final product not the process. Teacher #1 explained the struggles of assessing student,
“I do not know different assessing tools for using in a project. I just tend to grade the
end product, not usually the process of how students work. So in the end I do not know whether
all the students did the work, I just see the end result, but I would like to know different
assessments to use during the process and maybe that would help me evaluate them better”.
The last difficulty some teachers faced, but wasn’t a big issue is the students’ interest in a
project. Teacher #2 explained,
“ Most students are interested in conducting projects, however there are always a few
who do not participate in their group and I think that is related if they are interested in the
project. Some students might not enjoy working in a group, maybe some prefer working
individually, and when students see that their group mates aren’t working they become de-
interested in completing project”.
Lastly teachers explained what projects were facilitated in the class, Teacher #3, explained a
project conducted in a science class,
“ They did a project about cell structure and some students were creative. I had a group
who baked a cake, where they put the different cell parts (example the nucleus) inside the cake,
and the other parts on the top of the cake. Another group did a 3-D model of the cell structure
different materials. Their projects were very creative and interesting to see and each group
was unique and designed something different. This just shows how working in groups students
can learn from each other, hear their perspectives, and learn how to work in a team. When
they work in groups, they learn and remember what they learned”.
Teacher #4 portrays a project conducted in their class,
236
“Projects were very popular during online learning because it was the easiest thing to
do for students since they are at home and easier for them to learn through these projects.
Some were in groups and some were individual projects. The students loved doing the projects,
especially using online platforms for creating projects like doing 3D shapes or buildings”.
Concluding on the teachers’ perspectives regarding PBL, the data depicted above shows
positive outcome and perceive PBL as an important and innovative teaching method for
students.
All the students found advantages and benefits to PBL, as shown in Table 1. Every student also
explained the importance of PBL on the value of collaborating with each other and being
creative. The students found doing projects in their classes useful and Student #4 explains,
“I definitely prefer doing projects in the classes because I consider myself very artistic
and doing projects it allows me to be creative and show what I can do visually”.
Similarly student #2 states,
“By doing projects, I am automatically being creative and already allows me to
cooperate and collaborate with my fellow classmates regarding the topic of the project.
Working together is beneficial because it gives me different skills to use in my future and lets
me practice how to be part of a team”.
Student #6 explains,
“I prefer working in groups because I like getting to know my classmates opinions and
hear their ideas regarding a topic. I also like working together because I do not have to do all
237
the work myself, I can get help from my classmates. Teamwork helps me being able to work
with individuals and learn how to work collaboratively”.
Student #8 depicts,
“ Projects are a fun way to learn a subject and these projects lets us be creative by
using different methods. Projects brings out different ideas and we can learn from each other
when working together in a team”.
Lastly, student #1 explains,
“Working in a group is useful because it gives me a lot of skills I can use in the future
because when I work I want to be an engineer and I need to practice how to work with other
people. So it is important to start now and get used to working with other people. I consider
myself a creative person and doing projects lets me be as creative as I can be and I find that
very useful and important”.
Furthermore, students felt that by doing projects they become more involved in the lesson and
course, and students can learn new skills from their fellow classmates through projects.
Starting off with student #4,
“I personally like doing group projects more than individual projects because it
associates using your memory when working in a group with the subject you are learning. I
also think it is better than doing a test because projects you can learn more and actually
remember what you learned than doing tests. Projects is a good way to learn in my view”.
Student #2 explains,
“Projects allows me to feel like I am being part of the lesson instead of just sitting and
listening to the teacher the whole time. I feel like I learn more not only from the goal of the
project, but from my friends and classmates because we are all sharing our ideas through the
project”.
Student #3 states,
“I am a visual learner and doing projects I right away feel engaged in the class.
Students participate more and can learn more through projects”.
Lastly, student #7 describes PBL as,
“Learning through projects is a great way for me to be more busy in the class, and
learn information from my friends because we are working together in a group to create the
project”.
In summary, all the students portrayed how PBL is beneficial and important in their learning
experience.
238
Figure 2: Challenges of PBL in students’ perspectives
Figure 2 portrays some challenges students felt whenever they worked in a project. The first
issue that was noted was that students felt bored during the project that isn’t relevant to their
studies. Student #4 stated,
“There are some places where a group member or members will chat or not pay
attention, which is not the best. The other students see that the project isn’t important so they
get bored and don’t bother to continue with the rest of the group”.
Student #1 explains,
“I do enjoy doing projects, but sometimes the teacher doesn’t choose a good or
interesting project, which doesn’t make me excited. I like something that challenges me and if
the project doesn’t, I would get bored and I know the other students feel the same. Some
projects the teachers give us is to easy and for younger kids”.
Student #3 similarly states,
“ There are projects that seem too easy to do and I do not have a lot of fun making
these projects. I wish we did projects that were different and using different materials and tools
that make it more interesting”.
Two other challenge students face when doing projects in the classroom are that students prefer
to work individually and that the other students aren’t serious enough during the project itself.
Student #5 starts off by saying,
“Some students don’t take the projects as a normal task, they take advantage of the
situation and begin to have fun and just talk to their friends”.
Student #2 similarly states,
“Students aren’t serious enough to do projects in the classroom or outside the
classroom. Students will begin to have fun in the class instead of working on the project with
their classmates. This gives them a chance to fool around and have fun in the class. Due to
239
that, I prefer to sometimes work alone because I know I will get the job done and do a good
job and get a good grade”.
Student #8 explains their view about this by saying,
“Sometime I like to work alone depending on the people I am working with because
sometimes some people in the group do not take the project serious and want to have fun
instead of work”.
Student #4 also portrays her perception regarding these challenges by stating,
“As, I said before projects are important because it lets us work together, but sometimes
I like to work alone because I might be with a group I know won’t do the work or aren’t taking
the lesson serious so they just want to talk and have fun. It is frustrating, but I always in the
end work with my group and wish the next time they become more serious”.
The last issue that most students discussed in their interviews was how they don’t have the
proper materials to use in their projects, starting with Student #1,
“ I think the school needs to support the students with materials dealing with the
project. Sometimes I don’t have time to go get materials or funds to create a certain project,
for example maybe getting wood”.
Comparably to what student #3 stated,
“I shouldn’t buy my own materials for a project that is related to a school subject
because I think the school needs to get the materials for each student to support us when we
do the projects”.
Student #4 also explains,
“Sometimes we have the regular materials like paper and crayons, but some projects
we need more materials and the school lacks these things to give us. I sometimes have to go
get my own materials or my classmates for the project”.
After coding all the interviews, the data portrayed a positive outcome and perception about
PBL from the students’ answers. Students enjoy new experiences and creating projects that are
relevant to the class.
5. Limitations
There were some limitations in this study. Firstly, the small sample size of high school teachers
and students due to last semester schools were being held hybrid and difficulty in finding
teachers willing to agree on conducting an interview. Secondly, it is possible that face-to-face
interviews would have had greater in-depth and quality of data. Due to the pandemic, some
interviews were not possible to conduct face-to-face, therefore, online interviews were
organized. Finally, it is also possible that the interviews depicted the perceptions of people
motivated on implementing a new teaching method or to learn from a new teaching method.
240
6. Conclusion
The objectives of the article was to demonstrate the important of implementing PBL in
classrooms, teachers’ and students’ perception regarding PBL, the advantages and
disadvantages to using PBL, and effective recommendations for teachers to conduct PBL
activities. The literature mentioned throughout the article supported the significance of PBL
activities in classroom and its benefits to students and teachers. The literature as well portrayed
the challenges that teachers might encounter when integrating PBL activities in their
classrooms. Furthermore, the interviews that were conducted regarding the value of PBL was
consistent to the literature with PBL benefits on how…….and challenges that teachers faced
were conducting PBL activities, time management, planning the proper project activity for the
subject, time consuming, and guaranteeing learning. The students’ perception regarding
Acknowledgment
I wish to acknowledge the high school students and teachers, from Jerusalem School
Bethlehem, Palestine and Orchidea School, Hungary; who participated in the research and
provided statements regarding the topic of project-based learning. Their statements have
assisted my research regarding the importance of PBL and understanding their perception
regarding the topic.
References
Aksela, M. and Haatainen, O. (2019). “Project-Based Learning (PBL) in Practise: Active
Teachers’ Views of it’s Advantages and Challenges”. Research Gate.
Barak, M. (2012). “From ‘doing’ to ‘doing with learning’: Reflection on an effort to promote
self-regulated learning in technological projects in high school”. European Journal of
Engineering Education, 37, 105–116.
Bell, S. (2010). “Project-based learning for the 21st century: Skills for the future”. The Clearing
House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas, 83, 39–43.
Blumenfeld, P. C., Soloway, E., Marx, R. W., Krajcik, J. S., Guzdial, M., & Palincsar, A.
(1991). “Motivating Project-Based Learning: Sustaining the Doing, Supporting the Learning”.
Educational Psychologist, 26(3-4), 369-398. https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.1991.9653139
Boyle, P. and Trevitt, C. (1997). “Enhancing the quality of student learning through the use of
subject learning plans”. Higher Education. Res. Dev.16, 293–308.
Brush, T. and Saye, J. (2008). “The Effects of Multimedia-Supported Problem Based Inquiry
on Student Engagement, Empathy, and Assumptions about History”. 2(1):4. doi:10.7771/1541-
5015.1052
Chanlin, L. (2008). “Technology Integration Applied to Project-Based Learning in Science”.
Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 45, 55–65.
Fleming, D. S. (2000). A Teacher's Guide to Project-Based Learning. Office of Educational
Research and Improvement (ED), Washington, DC. ISBN-1-891677-08-X
241
Han, S. Y., Yalvac, B., Capraro, M. M., Capraro, R. M. (2015). “In-service Teachers'
Implementation and Understanding of STEM Project Based Learning”. Eurasia Journal of
Mathematics, Science and Technology Education 11(1), 63-76.
https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2015.1306a
Helle, L., Tynjälä, P., & Olkinuora, E. (2006). “Project-based learning in post-secondary
education– theory, practice and rubber sling shots”. Higher Education, 51, 287–314.
Herro, D.; Quigley, C. (2016): “Exploring Teachers’ Perceptions of STEAM Teaching
Through Professional Development”. Implications for Teacher Educators, Professional
Development in Education. DOI:10.1080/19415257.2016.1205507
Jones, B. F., Rasmussen, C.M., and Moffitt, M.C.. (1997). “Real-Life Problem Solving: A
Collaborative Approach to Interdisciplinary Learning”. American Psychological Association,
Washington DC., ISBN: 1557982945
Kilpatrick, W.H. (1921). “Dangers and difficulties of the project method and how to overcome
them: Introductory statement and definition of terms”. Teachers College Record 22(4), 283–
288.
Kokotsaki, D., Menzies, V., and Wiggins, A. (2016). “Project-based learning: A review of the
literature”. Improving Schools, 19(3), 267–277. https://doi.org/10.1177/1365480216659733
Krajcik, J. S., Blumenfeld, P. C., Marx, R. W., and Soloway, E. (1994). “A collaborative model
for helping middle grade science teachers learn project-based instruction”. Elementary School
Journal, 94, 483–497.
Kubiatko, M. and Vaculová, I. (2011). “Project-based learning: Characteristic and the
experiences with application in the science subjects”. Energy Education Science and
Technology Part B: Social and Educational Studies. Volume 3(1): 65-74.
Marx, R.W., P.C. Blumenfeld, J.S. Krajcik, M. Blunk and B. Crawford. (1994). “Enacting
project based science: Experiences of four middle grade teachers”. Elem. Sch. J., 94: 517-538.
http://www.jstor.org/pss/1001840
Mentzer, G. A., Czerniak, C. M., and Brooks, L. (2017). “An Examination of Teacher
Understanding of Project Based Science as a Result of Participating in an Extended
Professional Development Program: Implications for Implementation”. School Science and
Mathematics, 117 (1-2), 76-86. https://doi.org/10.1111/ssm.12208
Panasan, M and Nuangchalerm, P. (2010). “Learning Outcomes of Project-Based and Inquiry-
Based Learning Activities”. Journal of Social Sciences 6 (2): 252-255. ISSN 1549-3652
Petrosino, A.J. (1988). “The Use of Reflection and Revision in Hands-on Experimental
Activities by at-Risk Children”. Ph.D. Thesis, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA,
Unpublished work.
Smith, B. and Dodds, R. (1997). “Developing Managers Through Project-based Learning”.
Aldershot/Vermont: Gower.
242
Thomas, J. W. (2000). “A review of research on project-based learning”. Autodesk Foundation.
San Rafael, CA.
Thomas, J. W., Mergendoller, J. R., and Michaelson, A. (1999). Project-based learning
handbook for middle and high school teachers. Buck Institute for Education. Novato, CA
Vygotsky, L.S. (1978). “Mind in Society: The Development of Higher Psychological
Processes”. Harvard University Press. Cambridge, MA.
243