An educator with more than a decade of experience, Caitlin Franco functions as the Executive Director of Bronx, New York’s Equality Charter School, which she co-founded. Caitlin Franco leads the academic and social growth of students through Equality Charter School’s project-based learning (PBL) curriculum, which provides a number of advantages to students as detailed below.
1. Develops technology knowledge. Success in today’s technology-based society requires students to develop a working knowledge of commonly used technologies, such as computers and search engines. PBL goes beyond the fundamental skills of math, reading, and writing learned in traditional teaching models by requiring students to interact with technology on a regular basis.
2. Accommodates various learning styles. Educators now understand that traditional models of teaching do not adequately accommodate children with different learning styles. PBL offers a more diversified approach to teaching that enables students to explore their capabilities and broadens their understanding of new material. Furthermore, it allows instructors to implement multiple modalities of teaching.
3. Fosters student engagement. Unlike traditional text-based models, PBL engages students in the learning process by keeping them active and allowing them to practice life and world-relevant skills. Instructors can keep lessons fresh and exciting by implementing new activities that require active involvement and peer collaboration.
4. Improves problem-solving skills. PBL curriculums facilitate learning by presenting students with a problem or challenge and prompting them to discover a solution. They encourage students to explore multiple approaches to finding a solution, which enables them to develop skills for problem-solving.
5. Promotes teamwork. Collaboration is a central component of PBL, as students are regularly required to work in groups to solve complex problems. As students find themselves working with those from different backgrounds, they must employ collaborative skills to succeed. Furthermore, students with conflicting personalities must find common ground to work together productively.
1. Develops technology knowledge. Success in today’s technology-based society requires students to develop a working knowledge of commonly used technologies, such as computers and search engines. PBL goes beyond the fundamental skills of math, reading, and writing learned in traditional teaching models by requiring students to interact with technology on a regular basis.
2. Accommodates various learning styles. Educators now understand that traditional models of teaching do not adequately accommodate children with different learning styles. PBL offers a more diversified approach to teaching that enables students to explore their capabilities and broadens their understanding of new material. Furthermore, it allows instructors to implement multiple modalities of teaching.
3. Fosters student engagement. Unlike traditional text-based models, PBL engages students in the learning process by keeping them active and allowing them to practice life and world-relevant skills. Instructors can keep lessons fresh and exciting by implementing new activities that require active involvement and peer collaboration.
4. Improves problem-solving skills. PBL curriculums facilitate learning by presenting students with a problem or challenge and prompting them to discover a solution. They encourage students to explore multiple approaches to finding a solution, which enables them to develop skills for problem-solving.
5. Promotes teamwork. Collaboration is a central component of PBL, as students are regularly required to work in groups to solve complex problems. As students find themselves working with those from different backgrounds, they must employ collaborative skills to succeed. Furthermore, students with conflicting personalities must find common ground to work together productively.
