By: Niko M. Pantoja BSEd-Science III
The project-based learning plan is an instructional method centered on the learner. It serves as substitute for using a long process of lesson plan which suggests following a specific path of learning outcomes or objectives. In project- based learning it allows the learners to have a wide-range understanding of the topic intended for them to learn.
Project-based learning competencies are evidence-based. The teacher needs concrete evidence that the student has achieved a certain level of competence based on submitted products and projects (Santos, 2007, p. 35). According to Blumenfeld, the essence of project-based learning is that a question or problem serves to organize and drive activities; and these activities culminate in a final product that addresses the driving questions. The main goal of project-based learning is creating an active connection of pupils to educational process. The realization of this plan depends on the learners, through their critical thinking, creativity and motivations. Teachers should develop a unique plan in order to get the attention and interests of the learners.
Presently, through the changes and reforms of pedagogic aspects, project-based learning becomes a favorable teaching process that helps learners to deal better with their learning curriculum. Through the integration of ICT in creating this plan, it makes a variety of learning opportunities possible. Project-based approach becomes more creative together with the aid of technologies. It challenges the active thinking skills of the learners. According to research on the use of ICTs, they offer many possibilities including increased motivation, better development of critical thinking skills, and greater student autonomy. Projects can be used to enhance students’ learning motivation and help students to engage into the learning activities. If the outcome of the project-learning plan is successful this shows the students ‘progress and motivation. Clearly, the integration of technology in project-based pedagogy seems to be recognized by teachers as a strategy that can increase student motivation.
Specifically in the Philippines, the Department of Education (DepEd) is the one who create and produce a general outline of learning plan in almost all of the subjects in the basic education with the K-12 Curriculum. In the said learning plan, they also involved the integration of ICT in order that the intended objective in the subject shall be recognized easily by the students. In particular, science subject sometimes requires the aid of technology so that the students understand sufficiently in a given topic. But before a teacher could conduct an ICT assisted class, through their innovative and creative minds, teachers should formulate first on creating an ICT project-based learning plan in Science that covers the curriculum requirement. Based on the structure of learning plan, it contains the learning area, learning competency, learning task and mode of delivery. Teachers usually integrate ICT in the learning task and mode of delivery. They involve in the learning task some sort of videos, blogs and other educational online platforms that intended for students for them to watch and read making them to understand better the learning competency in Science subject. As early in the basic education, teachers should practice their students engaging and appreciating technology, that is why in the learning plan they recognize the use of Google classroom, messenger and even video conferencing serve as mode of delivery of the learning process where teachers could pass the modules to their students and also students where they could pass their outputs. The convergence of ICT in formulating the learning plan in science help both teachers and students to understand better the given topic together with ease of delivering it.
Convergence of ICT assisted project-based learning plan in Science teaching will triggers the interest of the students and creating them an opportunity to become independent learners. Talking first to those students who are “non-science majors” but still there are some subjects that they should still have to study about science also including those students who are really enjoy science subject. For teachers it is a challenge for them to teach those students but through ICT project-based learning plan in science, even though students were diverse, it allows them to have an opportunity to make a unique contribution to the project related to science and so it will make an invaluable impact to their interest and knowledge in science. In addition, for those students who are science major or even those students who really love science, the pedagogical process of project-based learning in science contains a context of making the students to engage in authentic investigations through the use of driving questions, and this allows the students to brainstorm their ideas, utilizing technologies to seek and find solutions. Through driving questions, it links concepts towards the learning plan. Moreover, through the support of the teachers in conducting the ICT assisted project-based learning plan in science it allows the students to design and perform various investigations to find solutions to the driving questions.
Lastly, project-based learning plans while utilizing ICT is relatively useful at this time not just only in science teaching but also in all subjects or courses. For teachers, it would help them to create a better plan in teaching. On the side of the students, this would help them to have an essential and beneficial way of learning.
Technology For Teaching and Learning 