What did you learn?
This year at Ohana Institute has been completely wonderful. I was new to the school as well as new to Project Based Learning process. I know that I learned much more from using the Project Based Learning model than I have ever learned from the conventional school model. Project Based Learning enabled me to explore my own fields of interest as well as learn at a more in-depth level the subjects that I needed to cover for the Sunshine State Standards. This year I became more of a metacognitive learner. I realized the ways in which I learn and I also discovered the methods that are more difficult for me to learn. We used the Project Based Learning model for our high school Language Arts and American History classes and through this I became a better writer, researcher, friend, and team member. I learned how to meet deadlines and how not meeting them can have consequences. Overall, I learned that learning is not memorizing facts; it’s retaining the information and applying it to my life.
How do you know that you learned it?
I know that I learned more from PBL than the conventional school model because I retained much more of the information. In conventional school students are asked to memorize facts, take a test and then move on to the next subject. In the PBL process students are asked to explore the information at a deeper level and use self-motivation to really learn. I know that when I am self-motivated I am more apt to complete a project from start to finish with accuracy. The web tools we used for our projects can also be credited to the fact that I “really learned.” In conventional school, methods for presentations are usually limited to a poster board or a PowerPoint. At Ohana we have the whole world at our fingertips. Having the whole world at my fingertips excited to me and made me want to learn more. The PBL process also allows students to choose what they want to learn while covering state standards. Learning what I wanted to learn about ensured that I was actually learning it. I wrote several papers this year. Looking at the first paper I wrote this year compared to my last, I see that I improved greatly. I know that I learned how to improve. My projects also improved this year. Like my writing, there is a great difference between my first and last project. The support of facilitators and the community also ensured that I was learning what I needed to learn.
What got in the way of your learning?
Though the PBL process is great, there were a few hiccups in the road. The issues I had were mostly due to my own actions. I had some issues at the beginning of the year with turning my projects and papers in on time. Ohana Institute is very flexible, unlike conventional school. I think I took that for granted at first. I overcame that issue and I then began to turn projects in on time. The PBL process was new for Ohana Institute this year. Students and facilitators were slightly unsure how to run the program at the start. Eventually, students and facilitators worked together to solidify the PBL process. I did have some issues with my project partner. Through that experience I learned patience and flexibility.
What helped your learning?
One of the greatest assets of Ohana Institute is the “family” atmosphere. This type of atmosphere greatly influenced my learning and my learning processes. The support of others encouraged me to achieve the highest possibilities I could for Project Based Learning. My own self-motivation helped me complete my projects. I had to encourage myself to turn my projects in on time as well as complete them at a high level. My facilitators also played a huge part in the successes of my PBL this school year. Without their guidance and support I wouldn’t have been as motivated nor would I have had the guideline that they have given me for the Project Based Learning model. The internet also helped with my learning. Having the information at my fingertips encouraged me to complete the best work that I could. My own family supported me this year. Their support was essential to my learning. Encouragement and support, whether from others or from one’s self, is necessary to the learning process.
How do you feel about PBL?
I feel fantastic about Project Based Learning. I know that I covered information that I wanted to cover. I also know that I covered information that I needed to cover. I greatly enjoyed all of the projects that I completed. Even the projects that I was a little apprehensive about doing turned out to be great. I also enjoyed presenting my projects. One of the best parts of PBL was learning how to effectively collaborate and work with others. PBL is a great learning model and I believe that it should be implemented in schools everywhere.
What was your favorite project?
My favorite project was the most recent and last student choice project. I worked with a few other students, Kylie, McKenzie and Alyssa. We chose to make our own short film. After everything was edited it was about 10 minutes long. Our essential question was “what is creativity” and we then wanted to know how we could successfully write, edit, and produce a short film with one actor. We brained stormed ideas and eventually came up with an idea for a “romantic comedy.” Filming and editing was more difficult that we thought, but we are all proud of our final product. We are presenting in a few days and we are excited to see the reactions of students and parents.
Why was it your favorite project?
The short film was my favorite project because it combined many activities that I like. It combined creative writing, filming, directing, and working with friends. I absolutely loved creating something that I loved as a part of school. It was difficult, but I loved it nonetheless. Personally, my favorite part was writing the script. It was exciting to be able to put all of my ideas on paper and create something that would turn into a great project. Also, I really liked this project because my group collaborated and worked very well together. We fed off of each other’s ideas and all had input into the project. I hope that in the future I will be able to complete more projects like the short film.
How will you use what you learned this year to help you with next year's project work?
Next year I will remember all of the mistakes that I made during this year’s PBL process and try my hardest to not make them again. I will also remember what I learned about myself as a learner and a person. I will remember the ways I learn as well as remember that learning is applying information to my life. I will not forget the important social skills that PBL taught me. I also plan on using more of the web tools that are out there for my projects. I plan to turn all of my assignments in on time. I plan on exploring new interests and building on the interests that I already have. Most importantly I will remember the patience and flexibility that Project Based Learning taught me.
