MATH    PROJECT BASED LEARNING

     I feel very excited about this project were starting.  I think PBL is a great way to open students up to the real world problems and finding ways to understand them.  PBL is taking a complex problem or question and forming a project around it that allows the students to explore the topic while performing and gaining key knowledge and skills.  The teacher's role in this type of learning is more of a bystander really they make sure everything is on course and that the students are working toward the right goal.  The students are more engaged in their learning rather than being passive learners where the teacher feeds them the information they need.  This chart from Carolina.com explains the roles better.  

	Inquiry-Based	Traditional
Principle Learning Theory	Constructivism	Behaviorism
Student Participation	Active	Passive
Student Involvement in Outcomes	Increased responsibility	Decreased responsibility
Student Role	Problem solver	Direction follower
Curriculum Goals	Process oriented	Product oriented
Teacher’s Role	Guide/facilitator	Director/transmitter

    Even through there is a lot more work involved with this learning it just feels right in a way for me.  If I could find a school system that would allow me to teach like this I would totally teach this style of learning.  Seeing the students in the video being excited about their purpose and to fulfill their purpose and role in the group was inspiring.