Abstract
In project-based learning, pupils have two central learning objectives: to understand the content of the subject and to develop their twenty-first-century skills. This article concerns the use of project work in mathematics learning, considered here in the context of the Finnish national core curriculum, mathematical proficiency, and pupils’ previous level of attainment. The research consisted of two case studies in which a coordinate system project and a statistics project were tested with secondary school pupils (N=59+58). The main findings show it is possible to study the mathematics of the curriculum and to develop all types of mathematical proficiency using project work. Additionally, the pupils’ grades on the project work correlate positively with their overall grades in mathematics.
Highlights
As a learning method, project work is not a new idea
The roots of project work can be found in American pragmatism, a movement that began at the turn of the twentieth century (Markham, Lamer, & Ravitz, 2006)
The popularity of project work has increased in recent years because of learning theories transitioning from behaviourism to social constructivism and the requirements of the modern work environment (Markham et al, 2006)
Summary
Project work is not a new idea. The roots of project work can be found in American pragmatism, a movement that began at the turn of the twentieth century (Markham, Lamer, & Ravitz, 2006). In Finland, the national core curriculum for basic education 2014, which was published by the Finnish National Board of Education (FNBE, 2016), emphasises the elements of project work, especially multidisciplinary projects. It requires the inclusion of at least one multidisciplinary learning module for every school year The conception of learning in the Finnish national core curriculum underlines an active role for the pupil and the development of learning-to-learn skills. The latest Finnish core curriculum highlights the importance of project work in schools, which has increased the need both to support and research project work as one way of studying school subjects. That article focuses on the achievement of the learning objectives in project work rather than the learning of mathematics
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