Educational Project-Project Based Learning

Project Based Learning (PBL)
The website http://www.bie.org/ is designed for teachers/teacher educators in an effort to improve teaching and learning in the 21st Century through the use of Project Based Learning (PBL).

1.)Accessibility: The website is designed with bold labels which are reader friendly and is easy to access; however, it would be even better if the font size and colour could be changed by users to make it more reader friendly to persons with disability.

2.)Underlying Educational Theory: The project focuses on the Project Based Learning Method which is grounded in the constructivist and experiential learning theory of Jean Piaget. However, this is not clearly indicated, perhaps some information can be included on the educational theory on which the content of the project is based so that student teachers can connect the information provided to the educational theories in which it is grounded.

3.)Program’s Structure: The website provides various services which users can utilize to share ideas and seek support: videos, tools, research, services, forums, blogs and store.

It makes good use of various web 2.0 tools such as: videos, diagrams, online storage, social filtering-with online surveys with links to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc., forums for online chat; it allows you to upload pictures: , etc.)

These tools provide an opportunity for educators to retrieve free materials/resources needed in using the Project Based Learning approach, keeping up-to date with research on Project Based Learning, share their personal experiences, and much more…

4.)Functions of the program: The major objective of the program is to provide a variety of products, practices and information for educators to explore the Project Based Learning Method, to learn from others and to share their personal experiences with others.

5.)Project’s Evaluation Method: The website offers various means for users to evaluate the tools or services provided through the use of Web 2.0 tools such as: social filters: online surveys, blogs, forums, comments section to files that have been uploaded, etc.

Recommendation: This is an excellent website to inform the practice of teachers and teacher educators and to encourage the type of collaboration among educators of the 21st Century. It is creatively designed to allow persons to get involved in the discussion of an approach that aims to develop students holistically and to ensure that they not only learn concepts but that they can work with others to apply them in a meaningful context as well. In the context of Education in Belize, it provides a approach that aims to achieve the four (4) pillars of education: LEARNING TO KNOW, LEARNING TO DO, LEARNING TO BE AND LEARNING TO LIVE TOGETHER!!!