The Project-Based Learning Model

Introduction
Project-based learning is a model for classroom activity that shifts away from the classroom practices of short, isolated, teacher-centered lessons and instead emphasizes learning activities that are long-term, interdisciplinary, student-centered, and integrated with real world issues and practices. One immediate benefit of teaching using the project-based learning method is that it can motivate students by engaging them in their own learning. It allows students to pursue their own interests and gives them an opportunity to make decisions about how they will find answers and solve problems (Why Do Project-Based Learning).

Interdisciplinary Learning
In his article on collaborative learning, Christopher Ryan suggests that project-based learning also provides opportunities for interdisciplinary learning. Students integrate the content of different subject areas during the process of the project (Ryan). An example of this might include a project where students must create an online business. Students are required to write a business plan, conduct a SWAT analysis, design a website, and give a sales presentation. Writing, research, math, desktop publishing, and especially a broad use of technology are used for a project such as this. Standards from many different content areas can be addressed when utilizing project-based learning.

Technology
In Brent Hoffman's "Using Multimedia to Overcome the Problems with Project-Based Learning," the author makes a strong case for the use of technology. He states that the multimedia component gives students opportunities to use various technologies effectively as tools in the planning, development, or presentation of their projects (Hoffman). In the project mentioned above, students could use the Internet to conduct research about a certain topic, write a plan of action in a word processing program, and use presentation software to provide a means of communication to his or her peers.