You say you want a revolution Greg Ashman

You say you want a revolution Greg Ashman @greg_ashman gregashman. wordpress. com

This presentation will be available via my blog including links to references gregashman. wordpress. com

The Project Method “I did not invent the term nor did I start it on its educational career” William Heard Kilpatrick, 1918

Project Based Learning “Project-based learning refers to students designing, planning, and carrying out an extended project that produces a publicly exhibited output such as a product, publication, or presentation. ” Alec Patton, Learning Futures, 2012

Evidence

Education Endowment Foundation “The existing evidence for a causal link between PBL and attainment outcomes seems to be weak. ” EEF Project Based Learning Evaluation Report

Education Endowment Foundation • Conducted a trial of Project Based Learning • Potential negative impact on some students • Findings compromised by high drop-out rate

And it doesn’t work in theory • Novices need fully guided instruction • Open ended tasks are better suited to relative experts • Students are not good at making choices that optimise their learning

Read 3 texts ? Restudy student choice Restudy student rating of lowest comprehension Restudy computer choice of lowest test score Theide, Redford, Wiley & Griffin, 2017

So why are people keen on the idea? If you ask them • Innovation • 21 st century ‘skills’ • Motivation • ‘Deep’ learning

Increasing Thinkiness Shallow Thinkiness Deep Thinkiness 1. Rote recall of regurgitated indigestible facts 2. Selecting between facts and enquiring about opinions 3. Critically evaluating opinions and discussing evidence in an empathetical way 4. Interpretive dance or something like that makinglearnersextraordinary. com

POSITIVIST!

Definition of ‘rationalisation’ The action of attempting to explain or justify behaviour or an attitude with logical reasons, even if these are not appropriate. Oxford Dictionary

But there are deeper roots Kilpatrick’s interest in projects was not a coincidence.

Progressive Education and Natural Learning to read vs Learning to speak

Activity Schools 1930 s model of a progressive school

Whole Language “How could a brain which could master such complex learning in the world outside school be considered deficient with respect to the kinds of learning that were supposed to occur inside school? ” Brian Cambourne, 1995

Human existence clock 12. 00 am Anatomically modern humans arise 10. 34 pm First farmers 11. 24 pm Sumerian writing appears 11. 59 pm Advent of mass literacy in Europe

Evolutionary Educational Psychology David C. Geary Biologically primary vs Biologically secondary

Conclusion Project based learning, like other forms of learning that prioritise learning through experience, is based on a myth that learning should be more natural.

My ebook, “Ouroboros, ” can be purchased from my blog site – gregashman. wordpress. com “Everyone should read this: an excellent little book” David Didau, @Learningspy “Fantastic observations, well written, and great value. ” Mike Beverley, @Dr. Mike. Beverley