Creating Digital Content for Learning Purposes in Sciences Using Project Based Learning Concepts

Chole RichardPMM Girls’ School, JinjaUganda

A Presentation at the 10th International Conference on ICT for Development, Education and Training, 2015

at African Union Conference Centre, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaFriday 22nd May 2015

Project Based Learning

Creating Digital Content for Learning Purposes in Sciences Using Project Based Learning Concepts

Project-based learning is a dynamic approach to teaching in which students explore real-world problems and challenges. With this type of active and engaged learning, students are inspired to obtain a deeper knowledge of the subjects they're studying.

Source: http://www.edutopia.org/

Creating Digital Content for Learning Purposes in Sciences Using Project Based Learning Concepts

Illustration source: https://heleenvandeven.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/img_7498-two-african-black-girls.jpg

Project Based Learning v/s

Traditional Mode of Learning

Creating Digital Content for Learning Purposes in Sciences Using Project Based Learning Concepts

Traditional Mode V/s Project Based Learning

Creating Digital Content for Learning Purposes in Sciences Using Project Based Learning Concepts

Teacher centered Learner centered

Traditional Mode V/s Project Based Learning

Creating Digital Content for Learning Purposes in Sciences Using Project Based Learning Concepts

Inter-disciplinaryCompartmentalized into subjects

Traditional Mode V/s Project Based Learning

Creating Digital Content for Learning Purposes in Sciences Using Project Based Learning Concepts

Mistakes are often punished Mistakes are opportunities for reflection and evaluation

Traditional Mode V/s Project Based Learning

Creating Digital Content for Learning Purposes in Sciences Using Project Based Learning Concepts

Emphasis on cognitive learning Emphasis on all three domains of learning

Traditional Mode V/s Project Based Learning

Creating Digital Content for Learning Purposes in Sciences Using Project Based Learning Concepts

Emphasis on memorization Learning to attain Higher Order Thinking

Traditional Mode V/s Project Based Learning

Creating Digital Content for Learning Purposes in Sciences Using Project Based Learning Concepts

Competitive Learning Team work; collaboration

Traditional Mode V/s Project Based Learning

Creating Digital Content for Learning Purposes in Sciences Using Project Based Learning Concepts

Less concerned about integration of technology

Emphasizes technology as a tool to enhance learning

Traditional Mode V/s Project Based Learning

Creating Digital Content for Learning Purposes in Sciences Using Project Based Learning Concepts

Little regard for individual differences Complete attention and respect for individual differences

Traditional Mode V/s Project Based Learning

Creating Digital Content for Learning Purposes in Sciences Using Project Based Learning Concepts

Disregard for student exhibition Student Exhibition is part and parcel of the process

The Process• Recognizing or identifying a need/problem

• Identifying target beneficiaries.

• Formulating clear aims and objectives

• Identifying methodologies.

• Identifying tools and resourceful persons

• Drawing up a work plan

• Executing of the plan

• Punctuated by continuous reviews, critique, and self evaluation

• Completed work outcome/end product to the identified beneficiaries

• Feedback from the field and further self-evaluation

• Exhibition/Sharing of learning experiences in the whole processCreating Digital Content for Learning Purposes in Sciences Using Project Based Learning Concepts

The Digital Content Creation for Learning Purposes in Sciences- Background -

Personal Childhood Experiences in Learning

It was so hard to recall parts of a Bunsen burner which I only saw on blackboard but I could draw and label a TV which I interacted with at home.

Creating Digital Content for Learning Purposes in Sciences Using Project Based Learning Concepts

The Digital Content Creation for Learning Purposes in Sciences- Background -

From Purposeful Media Creation for Social Change …

(Adobe Youth Voices Program)

Creating Digital Content for Learning Purposes in Sciences Using Project Based Learning Concepts

The Digital Content Creation for Learning Purposes in Sciences- Background -

…to Digital Content Creation for Learning Purposes in Sciences.

(My own initiative using PBL concepts learned from the Adobe Youth Voices Program)Creating Digital Content for Learning Purposes in Sciences Using Project Based Learning Concepts

The Process- Assumptions of Needs-

• Need to have permanent reference materials in sciences.

• Need to feel the gaps left by lack of science teachers in some schools

• Need to observe and do practical more frequently.

• Need to be skilled and confident in science practical.

• Need to be very knowledgeable about content in sciences

• Need to gain further experience in purposeful media creation.

• Need to make the purposeful media creation of PMM Girls’ School more beneficial and meaningful to the learner, the school and community.

Creating Digital Content for Learning Purposes in Sciences Using Project Based Learning Concepts

The ProcessPre-Production: Identifying Area of Interest through Brainstorming

1st Project: Dissection of a Rat; its main organs and their main functions.

2nd Project: Nutritional values of selected fruits and how to prepare fruit juice.

Creating Digital Content for Learning Purposes in Sciences Using Project Based Learning Concepts

The Process Pre-Production: Determining Scope of the Project

1st Project: Dissection of a Rat; its main organs and their main functions.

• To describe and demonstrate the process of dissecting a rat

• To show the main external and internal organs of a rat

• And their functions.

2nd Project: Nutritional values of selected fruits and how to prepare fruit juice.

• To show the process of making fruit juice of mango, orange, pineapple and water melon

• To show their nutritional values.

Creating Digital Content for Learning Purposes in Sciences Using Project Based Learning Concepts

The Process Production: Identifying and Executing Media Forms, Tools, Methods and

Seeking Support of Resourceful Persons

1st Project: Dissection of a Rat; its main organs and their main functions.

2nd Project: Nutritional values of selected fruits and how to prepare fruit juice.

Creating Digital Content for Learning Purposes in Sciences Using Project Based Learning Concepts

The Process Post-Production: Media editing, continued review …

Creating Digital Content for Learning Purposes in Sciences Using Project Based Learning Concepts

The Process Post-Production: Media Exhibition , Sharing of Learning Experiences ,

feedback, rewards…

Creating Digital Content for Learning Purposes in Sciences Using Project Based Learning Concepts

Creating Digital Content for Learning Purposes in Sciences Using Project Based Learning Concepts

Project Based Learning Traditional Class Room

Requires intense research so that one can speak from a better point of view

Everything is brought to you by the teacher hence most students don’t go an extra mile to research

It requires thinking and a lot of consultation and comparing of notes

Less thinking is involved and most of the work is done individually

Here each and every participant is given a chance to air out views

Not everyone can be given chance to air out their views

Akwero Vivian

Learner feedback

Creating Digital Content for Learning Purposes in Sciences Using Project Based Learning Concepts

“The most interesting part in the content creation is exploring. I have explored a lot... I used the computer to find out all I wanted.”

- Muwanguzi Destiny

Learner feedback

Creating Digital Content for Learning Purposes in Sciences Using Project Based Learning Concepts

“The most interesting part in the content creation is exploring. I have explored a lot... I used the computer to find out all I wanted.”

I have known how to use a new camera and researchI have learnt the new uses of fruit juice like pineapple can help reduce on painful crumbs.I have learnt that positive attitude towards certain things is so good. You should have a driving power in you.

Kirigwajjo Salama

Learner feedback

Creating Digital Content for Learning Purposes in Sciences Using Project Based Learning Concepts

“The most interesting part in the content creation is exploring. I have explored a lot... I used the computer to find out all I wanted.”

Kirigwajjo Salama

The dissection was interesting because once I saw my colleagues doing it, I really saw myself in the theater operating someone. I liked the dissection bit of it because most of the parts we talked about in class were theoretical.

Namuli Christine

Learner feedback

Creating Digital Content for Learning Purposes in Sciences Using Project Based Learning Concepts

First Attempt at Dissection of a Rat –

Rough Cuthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=Y0wgioEoHcc

The projects’

Thank youChole