“Attack Zine” - My Experience With Project Based Learning (PBL)

Written By: Abena Sey

July 12, 2022

As a teen, I had an experience with Project Based Learning (PBL) working with three other teammates to create our own personal magazine.  For “Attack Zine”, we made decisions about the editorials we wanted to feature, the layout, and our target audience.  We four girls had different backgrounds and interests, yet found ways to put all of our ideas together to make something meaningful. I am definitely of the mindset that technology is not an “essential (ingredient) for project success,” but can be integrated during the project (Boss 2015).  In my case, the use of technology improved our project aesthetically, but was not the sole reason for the success of the project; rather it was the skills that we used in putting it together.  Without knowing it, we were developing and applying our skills in collaboration, communication, critical thinking, interpersonal relations, and problem solving, and created a product that reflected the diversity of our group.  We see diversity in our places of work, and we are expected to collaborate and make important decisions to reflect divergent thinking; thus, this project gave us girls first hand experience in what the world of work is like.  In giving students opportunities for practical application of knowledge learned, they can have a deeper appreciation of its relevance to their context.  Essentially, at the heart of each reading is the fact that technology in and of itself doesn't prepare us for the future, but it is in how we use it to apply skills needed for the 21st century given that we are more connected and our problems are more complex.  We need to harness both technological and human resources to create effective solutions.  If students are given opportunities to practice this through PBL, they are better prepared for the challenges that they will face when they leave school. Trilling & Fidel (2009) substantiate, “in the 21st century, lifelong learning is here to stay.” I believe this is possible due in large part to technological advancement.  In using technology I am able to continuously expand my knowledge base and connect with inspiring people who challenge me to change my thinking and embrace different experiences and perspectives.  I actively seek opportunities to learn from others so that I can empathize and use good judgement.

References

Boss, S. (2015). Powering up learning with PBL plus technology. In J.E. Bellanca (Ed.), Deeper learning: Beyond 21st century skills. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.

Trilling, B. & Fadel, C. (2009). Part 1 What is 21st century learning? In 21st Century skills: Learning for life in our time. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

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