Lesson No.
Project Method
Lesson Structure
.0: Introduction
.1: Objectives
.2: Definitions of Project Method
.3: Characteristic of project Method
.4: Steps of Project Method
.5: Merits of Project Method
.6: Demerits of Project method
.7: Let us Sum Up
.8: Check Your Progress
.9: Further Readings
.0: Introduction
Project method is a teacher facilitate collaborative approach through which
students attain, utilize knowledge and skill to define and get solutions to problem of
relativistic nature by employing or using enquiry of extended type project method is a
dynamic and democratic method of teaching especially feasible for higher education
students. It is students centered method in which students employ or follow standards,
parameters and targets clearly identified by the teacher project method is the method
that demands students to present in concrete form the result of gathered information
about concept, principle or innovation. It is willingly taken activity by students which
emphasized learning by dong.
.1: Objectives
Dear readers after going through this lesson you should be able to:
Understand the concept of project method
Enlist the characteristics of project method
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Explain the steps of project method
Comprehend the merits and demerits of project method
.2: Definitions of Project Method
W.H Kilpatrick, “project is a whole hearted purposeful activity proceeding in a
social environment”.
Stevenson: “A project is a problematic act carried to completion in its natural
setting”.
Ballard: “A project is a bit of real life that has been imported into school”.
Thomas and long: “It is voluntary undertaking which involves constructive
efforts or thought and eventuates into objective results”.
Good: “ A significant practical unit of activity having education value and
aimed at one or more definite goals of understanding, involves investigation and
solution of problems and is carried to completion by pupils and teachers in
natural real life, manner”.
Markhom: “Project based learning into grates knowing and doing”.
According to Dewey: “A project is usually organized in a life like situation
which provides actual and meaningful experiences to the students like that of an
apprentice learning his trade”.
From above definitions it can be asserted that project method is the teaching
method in which students have control over the planning, refining, presenting and
reflecting of the projects. Project method was first used in 1830 in Moscow Russia in a
school for trades and industries train engineers and craftsman. This method allows
students to solve a practical problem with a like possible direction from teacher. It is the
method in which students perform constructivist activities in real life experiences.
.3: Characteristics of Project Method
1. It is student centric and takes them out of the classroom walls.
2. It is making learning realistic and experiential as it is being carried out in natural
setting.
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3. It develops investigations attitude among learners and makes them able to
develop practical solutions to the problems taken.
4. Fosters scientific enquiry attitude as it involves validation of sources and
information gathered.
5. It improves social skills die to social environment interaction.
6. It is democratic and dynamic as it provides freedom to students to choose for
future life as well as makes them able to enjoy present life.
7. It is an approach to make better usage of experience as the real and best learning
which ca n not be forgotten.
8. Learning activity selected is core part of project and a experiences of learning
are incidental.
9. A project has a definite attainable goal.
.4: Steps of Project Method
Following Steps are involved in project method of teaching:
a) Creating Situations: First the proper situation is created by the teachers for students
inside the classroom. Every knowledge about project method procedure, steps and uses
are given to the students. It should arise out of a fact need of students and should never
be put by force on them.
b) Selection of Problem:- Here in this step the problem is selected by the help of teachers
as well as guidance, this is being done with full freedom to the students to select
problem as per their abilities and interest. It should be based on real experiences and
purpose.
c) Planning:- In this step problem is being discussed by the teacher from different
perspectives after receiving free will opinion from students. Teacher write down the
whole plan for executing the project with little role as guide only.
d) Execution:- this is the step where work is started by the students. Here information
and other materials are collected as per their own speed, interest and ability teacher
here keeps supervisor for not letting students to waste time and materials. So
everything for conducting project is done.
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e) Evaluation:-This is the step of assessment of work. Here both students and teachers
evaluated the execution process which is done. They determine whether objectives are
accomplished or not, whether project has been completed and executed as per the plan
detained earlier. Difficulties are determined and results achieved are also evaluated.
f) Reporting and Recording:- Each and every step of the work are reported by the
students in this step. This report is recorded in a specific order in book form. It
included everything that was decided in planning, done in execution and result. Finally
it is submitted to the teacher.
.5: Merits of Project Method
1. It follows psychological principles of learning as learner readiness, practice and effect
of learning are in of significant importance.
2. It fosters self learning, self directions and self satisfaction because of freedom on part
of the students.
3. It imbibes social values among individuals through group work like team spirit,
cooperativeness, labour dignity, democratic attitude, belongingness etc.
4. Being problem solving type it makes students active, motivated, involved, responsible
etc.
5. It develops realistic sense among the students because of its practical and social
implications.
6. Most useful in scene subjects, languages, craft etc.
7. It help in developing critical thinking among students.
8. It helps in all round development of students through bodies involvement in a task.
9. It reduced burden of home work as projects are mostly conductive inside classroom.
10. It result all most in permanent learning as student learn though their own efforts.
.6: Demerits of project Method
1. It is time consuming as lot of time is being time taken by students in completing the
single task.
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2. Single project can not cover different topics as well as it is difficult to have diffident
projects for different topics
3. It needs numerous financial resources for its execution.
4. It is success rate is high only among gifted teachers and pupils.
5. It sometimes became two heavy that students feel it beyond capacity to accomplish.
6. Its draw back incidental learning as teaching is not possible in an organized manner.
7. Progress of work sometimes remains behind the schedule.
8. Communication plays minor role here as a result language development may get
hampered.
9. Learners do not always make the best choices. As such the choices they make do not
reflected their interest and ability.
10. Learners get difficulties in getting relevant books for book- based projects.
.7: Let us Sum up
In this lesson you have learned concept of project method and some definitions. Light has
been also thrown on characteristics, steps, merits and demerits of project method.
.8: Check your progress
1. Define the concept of project method?
2. What are the characteristics of project method?
3. Explain in detail steps involved in executing a project?
4. Enumerate merits and demerits of project method?.
9: Further readings:
Romesh Verma & Suresh K. Sharma (2006). Modern Trends in Teaching
Technology. New Delhi, Anmol Publications Pvt. Ltd. India.
Dr. R. A. Sharma (2004). Essentials of Educational Technology and Management.
Meerut, Surya Publications, India.
Purabi Jain (2008). Educational technology. New delhi, Dominant publishers and
distributors, India.
