The Project Method

A project is any activity, individual or group, involving the study and solution of problems, planned and carried out to conclusion under the guidance of the teacher.

Characteristics of Project strategy;

It;
• Extends beyond classroom teaching.
• Is carried out in natural setting or real life situations.
• Involves investigation and solution to practical problems.
• Demands and ensures active participation from the students.
• Involves effective interaction between the student and the social environment.
• Creates an opportunity to acquire or practice social skills.
• Enables the students to study functional aspects of the subjects learnt.
• lets the teacher to act as a facilitator or a guide and thus promotes independent learning.

Principles of Project Strategy

1. Principle of utility;
The project method attempts to study and investigate a practical problem or a situation. The problems are concrete and not just abstract. The project should yield results, which are useful to learner.

2. Principle of readiness:
The teacher presents a set of tasks and the students are given the opportunity to choose one for the purpose of project. The options offered to the student are to the students to choose an area depending on their own interest and choice ensures the readiness and willingness to work on a certain project.

3. Principle of learning by doing:
Since this method of teaching provide an opportunity for the learners to have a direct contact with the learning situation or the context of learning, the learners acquire knowledge and skill through practical experience.

4. Principle of freedom at work.
The teacher acts as guide and facilitator. The students enjoy a high degree of freedom and it facilitates the emotional and intellectual development process in the learner.

5. Principle of socialization
It provides an opportunity for learner to come into direct contact with the social environment. Such effective social interaction enables the learners to acquire social skills necessary to adjust and live in society.

Procedure on project strategy .

 
Stage I: Classroom Planning
Step 1: Providing a set of tasks/problems for study.
Step 2: Selecting a task/problem for study.
Step 3: Formulation of hypothesis (for problems undertaken).
Step 4: Planning/designing methods to investigate.

Stage II: Execution
Step 1: Collection of data.
Step 2: Organizing and interpreting data.
Step 3: Review.

Step III: Conclusion
Step 1: reporting and incorporating additions/deletions.
Step 2: Evaluation.