Ma’am this article I found is really interesting and fascinating. The reason for the high remarks is that I have been studying project-based teaching during this entire fieldwork class and the idea of project-based teaching is extremely interesting to me due to the fact that I didn’t have many projects when I was in middle school. I know what you are doing is important and I believe this article will help add to collection of knowledge you have on the topic.

To begin the title of the article is “A qualitative study using project-based learning (PBL) in a mainstream middle school.” It is a study conducted by Scott Wurdinger, Jean Haar, Robert Hugg and Jennifer Bezon all from Minnesota State University. This article begins with identifying a problem with mainstream middle schools and the dropout rate in high school. A lot of the high schoolers who drop out have the grades to pass they are just bored with what they are learning. As this problem is identified by the authors it then proceeds to a solution that some schools mainly charter schools have identified a possible solution to reengage middle school students and that is with project-based teaching. Once it introduces the project-based teaching theory, the authors then proceeded to define the components of PBL, this idea has four steps that the teacher must know and understand in order for the learning process to work correctly. One quote I found most interesting is “Teachers should be cognizant of this inquiry process and attempt to guide students through all four steps; however, learning may be hindered if teachers inform students of the four-step process” (Wurdinger, 151-152). This I believe is a great tip to know as a teacher and ever further down the article I am sure there are more hints and tips that will improve a teacher’s knowledge of PBL. As the article continues it goes into a main theme of methods of PBL highlighting on, problem solving, scope, culture, Project process, and obstacles. Lastly the article dives into the study’s findings and discussion of those findings. The conclusion is that “teachers accepted the project-based approach and that students were highly engaged in the process; however, this approach presents teachers with a unique set of problems” (Wurdinger, 159).

Ma’am I believe this is a perfect article to add to the tool box of knowledge and help sharpen that knowledge to dive into teaching the bright young minds of the future.

Citations:

Wurdinger, Scott, et al. “A Qualitative Study Using Project-Based Learning in a Mainstream Middle School.” Improving Schools, vol. 10, no. 2, 2007, pp. 150–161., doi:10.1177/1365480207078048.

-Jingle