Project based learning (PBL) appreciates and facilitates integration of theoretical knowledge in practical and experiential learning.

Students are encouraged to attempt challenging tasks through their problem-solving skills. Students use their experience, knowledge, creativity and try to solve the problem through varied solutions. This learning is student centered and the teacher works as a facilitator and mentor.

Through these problem-solving activities students construct new knowledge based on their prior learning.

Studio and project-based learning are perfect examples of constructivism. Unlike didactic and passive learning, constructivists emphasize active knowledge making and are more likely to generate new knowledge. As Dr. Kalantzis states in the beginning of the course “knowledge production is much more powerful than only consuming it”.

PBL wins multiple learning opportunities as it fosters creativity, critical analysis and students use their imagination to address the problem in the given circumstances and context. Project based learning is a rigorous process. Students employ critical thinking to come up with the best possible solution. Through discussions, collaboration and design skills try to execute the solution. Students can voice their opinions in the most democratic manner. Once the solution is executed through prototyping and user testing students reflect on their learning and prepare the solution for its final form, that is an artefact, product, or service. This is a cyclic process where learning is continuous and transformative.

The learners’ sense of agency in project-based learning is high. I have experienced different wonderful results from a single brief disseminated in different students/classes. For instance, during expressive typography assignments in studios students design solutions that vary some student present solution based on emotions. Some students rely on rational understanding of the issue and for some students it is mix of emotional and rational. There can be multiple factors acting on the class or studio though, but it must be ensured that students are free to use their imagination and encourage to experiment during the processes to the final solution.

• Active Knowledge Making https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1oJd86UzJA&t=26s
• Gold Standard PBL: Essential Project Design Elements https://www.pblworks.org/what-is-pbl/gold-standard-project-design
• Construction of a Creative Instructional Design Model Using Blended, Project-Based Learning for College Students https://www.scirp.org/html/24850.html