What is Project-Based Learning?
Project-Based Learning (PBL) is a teaching method in which students learn by actively engaging in real-world and personally meaningful projects. Students work on a project over a period of time that engages them in solving a real-world problem or answering a complex question.
During all of our projects, students collaborate, learning to express and advocate for themselves while listening to others and considering their ideas. And because there is no single “right” answer to any question, students are challenged to make connections between what they already know and concepts that are new. Additionally, because students are given a choice about how they will complete their work, they are more engaged, empowered, and allowed to “own” both the process and outcome of their learning.
That’s the difference of Project-Based Learning and why it is essential to what we do at Fort Worth Academy. At a time when most test answers can be confirmed with a quick visit to a favorite search engine and online services can be hired to write book reports and term papers, it is paramount that students learn how to think and to make discoveries for themselves. In fact, the best way to prepare students for a world that is constantly evolving is to help them develop the skills that will allow for self-evolution, as well. It’s project-based learning, not standardized tests, which fosters problem-solving abilities and a growth mindset in students.
