108 HAWAII PARENT September/October 2024 teacher, peer, and selfassessments. One of the most valuable benefits of PBL is that it encourages students to think critically and work together, helping them develop valuable 21st century skills like problem-solving, collaboration, and communication. Island Pacific Academy Embraces Project Based Learning One private K-12 school in Kapolei is taking the lead in educational innovation with its dynamic PBL program in its Elementary division. At Island Pacific Academy (IPA), students in kindergarten through fifth grade take part in unique and engaging PBL projects tailored to their specific grade-level units of inquiry. Whether it’s second graders exploring concepts in trade and commerce through a bracelet sale or third graders collaborating to organize a School Spirit week election as they explore ideas about democracy and The real-world relevance that is a key component of PBL projects enhances student-based learning and outcomes by giving students a reason for what they’re learning – it provides the “why” behind what they’re learning. This relevance provides motivation and fosters engagement as students work on projects that spark their interests – learning is an active process, rather than passive experience. That, combined with an interdisciplinary approach that enables students to apply and make connections across various subjects, leads to a deeper and lasting understanding of the content. With traditional learning approaches, the focus is on the final product (think performance on standardized tests) as the means to measure learning outcomes. In PBL the learning process itself, which includes reflection and iteration, is as important as the final product. Both the process and product are evaluated through Welcome to the Liberty Tavern! Visitors were greeted with a copy of The Colonial Times and invited to enjoy molasses cookies and apple cider and learn more about colonial life. “In PBL the learning process itself, which includes reflection and iteration, is as important as the final product.”
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