ASSESSMENT ON THE EFFECT OF PROJECT BASED LEARNING ON  STUDENT ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

The project approach is an in-depth investigation of a real-world issue deserving of a student's time and effort (Chard, 2011). PBL (project-based learning) is a teaching style in which students gain essential skills by completing real-world projects (Holubova, 2008). Teaching tactics that enable teachers to help students via in-depth investigation in the actual world are known as the project learning approach (Chard, 2011). Students learn to take responsibility for their own learning via Project Learning, and this instruction helps students lay a firm basis on which they may collaborate with others throughout their lives. This strategy focuses on creating a thorough unit around an activity that can be done in or out of the classroom (Pattnaik,Chakradeo and Banerjee, 2014). Project learning, according to Knoll (1997), is a method for students to (a) gain independence and responsibility, and (b) exercise social and democratic behaviors. Project learning was introduced into the curriculum to assist kids learn at school, study independently, and blend theory and practice, according to Knoll. The project approach is a goal-oriented, challenge-based activity that promotes successful and efficient cooperation by giving students' actions more weight than the teacher's information communication (Szállassy, 2008).

Project-based learning is innovative because it emphasizes cooperative learning. Students also produce concrete outcomes to demonstrate what they have learned. Students employ technology and investigation to answer to a complicated topic, problem, or challenge. PBL focuses on student-centered independent review and group study, as this one in control, with the teacher serving as adviser. Instead of classroom-based assignments, activities try to replicate real-world professional duties as closely as feasible. This encourages scholarly interpretations and allows students to take on several roles and build information that can be applied in more than one way. Finally, instead of a single proper solution by imposing predefined rules and regulations, it allows for a range and variety of results that are aware of the diverse ways.

1.2     STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

When project learning is implemented successfully, instructors and students are driven to actively participate and grow as individuals and collaborators in generating high-quality work that benefits them (Chard, 2011). Project learning, on the other hand, does not gather knowledge in a sequential manner, and if it is not effectively planned and implemented, it may not be completed on time. Pattnaik, Chakradeo, and Banerjee contend that the project learning technique has a number of drawbacks (2014). Projects are used as a teaching method in education, as well as for accomplishing outcomes and learning new abilities (Holzbaur, 2010). In addition, Holzbaur contends that projects are an effective way for teaching, training, and research in education. However, Holzbaur pointed out that project preparation and execution took a lot of time, as well as academic and pedagogical problems that need a methodical approach. Students, in particular, tended to pursue questions without examining their merits, they tended to pursue questions that were based on personal preference rather than questions that were warranted by the scientific content of the project, they struggled to understand the concept of controlled environments, they created research designs that were inadequate given their research questions, they developed incomplete data collection plans, and they frequently misunderstood the concept of controlled environments. Therefore against this backdrop that this study seeks to examine the effect of the effect of project based learning on  student academic performance

1.3     OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The main objective of this study is to investigate the impact of project based learning on academic achievement of secondary school students, specifically the study intends to:

i.          Determine whether project based learning is more effective than the traditional method during instruction.

ii.        Ascertain the how project base learning impact student academic achievement.

iii.      Discuss the challenges associated to project based learning.

iv.      Proffer solution to for effective utilization of project based teaching and learning in secondary school.

1.4 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

HO1:Project based learning is not more effective than the traditional method of instruct

HO2: There is no significant impact of project based learning on student academic achievement

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The findings of this study will reveal the proper information for educational planners and administrators for further investigation and information about the Teachers’ and students’ perceptions on projey teaching methods adopted in teaching process in secondary schools. The study was expected also to help on maintaining good conduct and make the required reforms in relation to both curricula coverage and students acquisition of life skills to improve the quality of education. The development partners, especially educational partners, may use the findings of the study to design interventions that will improve the quality of education in secondary schools. Policy makers will also be enriched with data information as they will be able to design appropriate policy based into Teachers’ and students’ perceptions on participatory approach adopted in teaching process secondary schools.

Finally this research will help the curriculum developers to adjust to the system so as to overcome the constraints that might arise and restrict the provision of quality education in secondary schools.
1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of this study borders on  the impact of project based learning on academic achievement of secondary school students. The study will further discuss whether project based learning is more effective than the traditional method during instruction, ascertain the how project base learning impact student academic achievement, discuss the challenges associated to project based learning and proffer solution to for effective utilization of project based teaching and learning in secondary school. The study is however delimited to selected secondary schools in Ajeromi‑Ifelodun local government in Lagos State.

1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. The significant constraint was the scanty literature on the subject owing that it is a new discourse thus the researcher incurred more financial expenses and much time was required in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection, which is why the researcher resorted to a limited choice of sample size covering only secondary schools in Ajeromi‑Ifelodun local government in Lagos State. Thus findings of this study cannot be used for generalization for other secondary schools  in other  states within Nigeria. Additionally, the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work will impede maximum devotion to the research. Howbeit, despite the constraint  encountered during the  research, all factors were downplayed in other to give the best and make the research successful.

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