Math class can seem long and tedious, with students listening to exhaustive lectures just to complete pages of homework. Although this can help students master concepts, memorizing formulas isn’t always applicable to the real world. Luckily, project-based learning (PBL) can address this issue. By implementing project-based learning in math classrooms, students will increase their collaboration, and critical thinking skills.
PBL consists of learning through identifying real-world problems and developing solutions to them in the classroom. PBL emphasizes the learning journey rather than the final product. PBL also helps foster creative thinking by requiring students to approach problems from multiple perspectives and devise innovative solutions. Math is the ideal subject to explore as a group because many projects focus on problems with multiple solutions, and being able to work in a group allows students to share their ideas. Statistics, graphs, and trends are all features of math that can be better explored through PBL.
PBL is especially beneficial for students who don’t perform well under pressure. By grading projects instead of tests, students can be assessed in a less stressful environment, leading to increased concept mastery. In the past 20 years, the U.S. has consistently ranked outside the top 35 in the world for high school math level. Hence, in a world where standardized tests continue to fail students, PBL offers a refreshing alternative.
A study published in the Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-Based Learning found that students achieved higher scores when assessed in a group setting. Because of the many elements that make up projects, including effort, aesthetic quality, and participation, students can be graded holistically.
A holistic grading process helps students perform at a higher level than a strict and objective assessment does. Another study, conducted about motivation and PBL, found that choosing the right focus can completely change how students view projects. The right project will significantly improve the student’s motivation. This can be applied to mathematics, ensuring that students approach projects from a creative and engaging angle. In addition, the Buck Institute for Education estimates that students who participate in PBL learning demonstrate a 21 percent increase in their ability to work in teams.
All in all, PBL is beneficial in many scenarios, but especially in lecture and exam heavy classes such as math. By implementing more math-based projects, students will have ever more opportunities to practice open-mindedness and creativity, crucial skills as students prepare to work collaboratively in both college and their future careers.