Over the past year, my tenth grade year, I have learned so much that is going to help me become a successful and well rounded adult. During PBL, I had the chance of learning how to start, make and present a great project. Working as a team, which is always a little difficult to me, became a lot easier recently because of having to work in groups of multiple people on projects. Also, not being forced to sit in a classroom and listen to some teacher lecture facts or read something on FLVS, I felt that I learned and retained more.
- How do you know you learned it?
I know that I learned it because I didn't just have to memorize it for a test. I actually put the information into a project, contacted an expert and had him/her proof read it. When all of that was complete I had to present it to parents, teachers and fellow classmates where they questioned me and made sure that I had really learned and retained the knowledge.
- What got in the way of your learning?
I felt that sometimes just being not really given any rules or restrictions, that while doing PBL work I would get distracted and stray away from the task. Talking and socializing were the only things that ever got in the way of my learning. Other than that, I was pretty focused and able to complete my project.
- What helped your learning?
There were so many factors that went into helping me learn a lot this year. The environment for one, just the relaxed and cheerful environment that I was surrounded in everyday helped me to focus. Having great Facilitators, like Mrs. Amy and Mr. Randy, to support me and throughout the year, helped me to learn. I am the type of person that needs to social interaction, like talking and listening to music to be able to learn. So, while sometime that social interaction became too much and got in the way it also helped me learn.
- How did you feel about PBL?
I feel that without PBL, I would not be where I am today. I really like PBL and what it allows me to do. It allows me to learn about English and History through doing projects in the areas that I enjoy. Like learning about the Roaring 20s by studying the fashion and people of the era. PBL really helps people like me who doesn't enjoy being lectured by a teacher or sitting and reading off a computer all day.
- What was your favorite project?
My favorite project would definitely have to be the OHpedia. On my OHpedia, I worked with Kylie on the Industrial Revolution. In this project, Kylie and I gathered information about every part of the Industrial Revolution, what caused it, what happened during it and what were the reprocussions of this very unfortunate time.
- Why was it your favorite project?
This was my favorite project because it allowed me to explore, in depth, a time period that is very interesting to me. I got to learn so much that happened that I had no idea about. Also, it helped that I was with one of my best friends, Kylie, who did a great job and helped me along the way.
- How will you use what you learned this year to help you with next year’s project work?
Going into this year, we had never really done PBL before, so it was like starting over. We had to start at the beginning with learning how to start and make great projects, present like a professional and work well with others. I will be taking these skills into next year to teach the newcomers to the school and just make even better projects and just work on perfecting my skills. But I will not only take these skills into next year, they will live on with me well into my adult hood where I will need everything that I have taken from PBL and it will help me become successful.
