Lit review powerpoint

1. Implementing Project-Based Learning and
Multimedia in Elementary Social Studies
Curriculum
Kelly Hughes
July 13, 2010
Touro University California
1

2. Overview of Today’s
Presentation
2
Importance
Purpose of Study
Literature Review
Key Themes
Implications
Gaps
Importance and justification
for study

3. Importance

Project
Based Learning (PBL) is an innovative way to
help children relate what they learn in school to
their lives outside of the classroom.
Traditional teaching methods have not proven to be
effective for some students or to have a positive
impact on standardized test scores and graduation
rates.
Studies show that students engaged in project-
based learning outscore their traditionally educated
peers
Today’s students are Digital Natives, therefore
offering current technology and multimedia is
essential in order to reach students maximize their
learning potential
3

4. Purpose of Study
4

Objectives or Outcomes
To identify best practices when it comes to
utilizing PBL and multimedia with Social
Studies
To introduce Project-Based Learning into a 4
th

grade classroom to determine the impact it has on
the student’s learning.

5. Literature Review
Theme 1
Multimedia and Social Studies
Serves to engage students with
multiple types of intelligences
Provides access to materials that
would otherwise be difficult to find
Allows students to consider multiple
perspectives
Examples:Digital Storytelling, WebQuests,
5

6. Literature Review
Theory Behind Project Based Learning
•Constructivism
•Learners construct knowledge for
themselves
•Emphasis placed on student rather
than teacher
•Learning is an active process
6
Theme 2

7. Literature Review
Theme 3:
Benefits and Best Practices of using PBL
and Multimedia
Both motivate student learning
Increase student interest in subject matter
Supports learning by making content accessible
Enhances student understanding
7

8. Literature Review
Theme 4:
PBL and Digital Storytelling
Increases students engagement and motivation
Enhances creative thinking
Creates a “new way to solve an old problem”
DS gives students a platform to voice their own
thoughts and tell their own stories
8

9. Implications for the
Study
Organization of Study:
Communication to all stakeholders (school
admin. Teachers, parents, students)
Clear description of the benefits of PBL
Roles and responsibilities
Performance metrics and milestones
9

10. Gaps in the Literature
Not many studies on using PBL in Social
Studies at the elementary level
Not many studies done on incorporating
multimedia in PBL elementary classrooms
Insufficient amount of objective and
subjective performance metrics

10

11. Importance and
Justification for your
study
Traditional teaching methods don’t work for all students. A
“one size fits all” approach doesn’t effectively reach all
students.
PBL puts learning in a “real world” context for students
Introducing this teaching method to a Social Studies
curriculum (typically not the most interesting subject for many
students), will help to determine if this method results in
increased student engagement, participation, learning, and
comprehension, as other have found
11