The Benefits of Project Based Learning

• Allows for a variety of learning styles and is “real" world oriented
• Risk-free environment - provides positive feedback and allow choice
• Use of higher order thinking skills and learning concepts as well as basic facts
• Utilizes hands-on approaches
• Provides for in-depth understanding
• Utilizes various modes of communication
• Students are responsible for their own learning
• Students have ownership of their learning. Projects promote meaningful learning, connecting new learning to students' past experiences
• Learning utilizes real time data - investigating data and drawing conclusions
• The learning process is valued as well as the learning project
• Learning integrates with different curricular areas
• Teacher is a facilitator of learning
• Student self-assessment of learning is encouraged
  
• Students have ownership of their learning. Projects promote meaningful learning, connecting new learning to students' past experiences
• Learning utilizes real time data - investigating data and drawing conclusions
• The learning process is valued as well as the learning project
• Learning integrates with different curricular areas
• Teacher is a facilitator of learning
• Student self-assessment of learning is encouraged

There are many reasons why teachers have not ‘embraced’ technology enhanced project based learning to is full potential including lack of preparation time, limited resources, lack of administrative support, and limited class time to implement PBL in the curriculum. Other reasons are tha teachers may have difficulty adjusting to a more guiding role or facilitator, and helping students to become more self-directed. These external and internal barriers have different characteristics.

• External barriers include a lack of access to things such as computers, software, planning time, workload, or administrative support, curriculum coverage
• Internal barriers relate to teacher beliefs about instructional technology, traditional methodologies, and willingness to make changes in classroom practices, professional development

External barriers are more easily recognised and readily fixed, while internal barriers require changes in teachers’ beliefs and daily teaching method.