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Project-Based Learning Inclusive in a Hybrid Setting


 28th May 2021


What’s project-based learning?

What’s a Micro School?

Do you know that Project-Based Learning or PBL can make online learning more communicative?

PBL or Project-Based Learning experiences generally happen in a physical environment, however, it can also be done in a hybrid class setting. At present, the situations are quite challenging and the shift to “online education” has changed the teaching-learning practice a lot. PBL works well in Micro-schooling as well. Micro-schooling is basically the reinvention of the one-room school where the class size is quite smaller (from 4-15 students) and there are mixed-age groups.

What Is Project-Based Learning?

Project-based learning (PBL) is a powerful teaching technique that has all-embracing benefits for students. PBL is an instructional approach where learners collaborate with others and learn by doing various projects which are related to real-world problems.

Generally, a teacher doesn’t control everything in PBL and in online education, a teacher can observe and guide his/her learners as frequently as in a classroom. Teachers are conducting projects via Zoom meetings, email, Google Docs, and a lot more if their students have the technology and internet access.

Some of the major benefits of project-based learning -

  • Students learn how to solve problems with critical thinking
  • Relationships moulded during collaboration
  • Develops the creative thinking skills
  • It boosts the self-confidence
  • Learners learn to manage difficulties more successfully
  • Students learn how to manage projects effectively
  • Students take ownership over their plans

Key Ideas for Making PBL A Reality in Hybrid Setting

The following are some of the hands-on things that you might consider:

Generate Questions

Try to generate questions about things your students are interested in. This will help you in forming a strong relationship with your learners. This not only reassures participation but also helps learners to coherent what they know. It’s very accommodating to provide students a choice in what questions they ask. When your learners produce enquiries and understand that those questions become unified as classroom thinking tools, they will feel more welcomed as part of the classroom community.

Develop Social Connections

Sometimes, the students can feel left out of hybrid classrooms and to address this, you may pair a virtual student with an in-person learner. Both cohorts have to practice reasoning to convince their corresponding item. Also, by using home materials, the online students can continue their hands-on activities. This way your students will feel their ideas are valued, and develop common determination.

Implement Technology

Teaching online encompasses picking the correct digital tools to involve students with online learning. You could even use numerous video-conferencing methods to host discussions and chats with learners about what they’re learning. The connection between the visual representation of complex thoughts is an indispensable professional communication skill to encourage.

Regular Check-ins

Well, it can be as simple as an email or a video chat. Take help from Google Form, through this, you can ask your students various questions about their purposes for their projects along with their development. You can even ask them how they are handling this pandemic, just to make them feel more involved and valued.

Closing Thoughts

At present, we all are on a Project-Based Learning journey, for learners doing an authentic real-life project to building their soft skills. As a modern-age teacher with a virtual online teaching program, you can simply direct them in evolving their skills for the overall development. Moreover, parents, as well as caregivers, can also include different PBL projects for their children to support their children stay connected and more engaged educationally.

 

Written By : Bindita Sinha

 

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