Double Journal Entry #13

1. What "dominant paradigm" is showing signs of wear?

The use of lectures and textbooks in classroom.

2. According to the research, how does Project-Based Learning support student learning better than traditional approaches?

In this approach, the school is giving money through grants that allows the students to work on projects that take a large amount of time. There are many benefits with this approach. First, the students will have a deep understanding on the CSO that was used for the project. Secondly, the students get to use outside resources and learn about their community or the world. And third, the students have a greater experience and be better problem solvers.

3. According to the research, how does Problem-Based Learning support student learning better than traditional approaches?

Students in a traditional classroom are taught using textbooks and lectures. And students who learn in a PBL classroom use real life experiences to learn. Students who take a pre and post test in a traditional and PBL classroom tend to have similar scores, but the students who were taught using PBL scored higher on standardized test. This is because "PBL students had developed a more flexible, useful kind of mathematical knowledge that engaged them in “exploration and thought” (Boaler, 1997, p. 63)."

4. According to the research, how does Learning by Design support student learning better than traditional approaches?

In this approach, the students are given the ability "to design and create an artifact that requires understanding and application of knowledge" (Newstetter, 2000). The students usually get to work in collaborate groups when they use the Learning by Design approach so it works on their socialization skills. Some other benefits include the students exercising their creativity and the students will be able to show how well they understand what is being taught.

5. What are the differences between the three approaches?

I think the three approaches have a lot of similarities in that they allow the students to learn using a hands on approach, but they all approach the method of teaching the material differently. Problem Based Learning gives the students a problem and they must come up with a solution. Project Based Learning takes the students outside the classroom to learn in depth that takes a longer amount of time. And last but not least, Learning by Design allows the students to create something using the knowledge they have been taught.

6. In your opinion, what is the most important benefit to learning that is common across the three types of inquiry-based learning approaches?

The most important benefit to these approaches is that the students are proactive in the learning. They are using the hands on, minds on approach. The students will feel like they are contributing to the learning process instead of sitting at their desks listening to lectures all day long. Another benefit to these types of approaches is that the students will be able to learn the concept from the experiences of the activities.