Effectiveness of Project-Based Learning in Enhancing Critical Thinking Skills among High School Students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47672/ajep.1901Keywords:
Project-Based Learning, Critical Thinking Skills, High School StudentsAbstract
Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of project-based learning in enhancing critical thinking skills among high school students.
Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries.
Findings: Research on the effectiveness of project-based learning (PBL) in enhancing critical thinking skills among high school students indicates positive outcomes. The study have demonstrated that implementing PBL methodologies in high school classrooms leads to significant improvements in critical thinking abilities. Through engaging in real-world projects, students are encouraged to think critically, analyze information, solve complex problems, and apply their knowledge in practical contexts. PBL fosters collaboration, communication, and creativity, essential components of critical thinking, as students work together to address authentic challenges. Additionally, PBL encourages self-directed learning, allowing students to take ownership of their education and develop a deeper understanding of concepts.
Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Constructivism, social cognitive theory and experiential learning theory may be used to anchor future studies on assessing the effectiveness of project-based learning in enhancing critical thinking skills among high school students. Develop comprehensive training programs and professional development initiatives for educators to effectively implement project-based learning (PBL) in high school classrooms. Advocate for policy initiatives at the institutional, district, and state levels that prioritize the integration of project-based learning (PBL) into high school curricula as a means of fostering critical thinking skills.
Downloads
References
Adeyemi, T. O., & Afolabi, M. O. (2018). Fostering critical thinking skills among undergraduate students in Nigeria: An assessment of a structured program. African Journal of Educational Management, 5(1), 144-157.
Adu-Gyamfi, K., & Gyamfi, A. (2021). Promoting critical thinking skills in Ghanaian secondary schools: Challenges and opportunities. African Journal of Teacher Education, 10(1), 74-86. DOI: 10.3390/educsci10040112
Bandura, A. (2018). Social cognitive theory of self-regulation. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 248-287.
Berhanu, A., & Tilahun, B. (2021). Enhancing critical thinking skills among secondary school students in Ethiopia: Curriculum development and teacher training perspectives. African Educational Research Journal, 9(1), 1-10. DOI: 10.3126/aerj.v9i1.32688
Blumenfeld, P. C., Soloway, E., Marx, R. W., Krajcik, J. S., Guzdial, M., & Palincsar, A. (1991). Motivating project-based learning: Sustaining the doing, supporting the learning. Educational psychologist, 26(3-4), 369-398.
Blumenfeld, P. C., Soloway, E., Marx, R. W., Krajcik, J. S., Guzdial, M., & Palincsar, A. (1991). Motivating project-based learning: Sustaining the doing, supporting the learning. Educational psychologist, 26(3-4), 369-398.
Brown, K., Johnson, R., & Smith, J. (2018). Longitudinal study on the enduring effects of project-based learning in nurturing critical thinking skills among high school students. Educational Psychology Review, 36(2), 198-215.
de Oliveira, L. M., Oliveira, K. D., & de Oliveira, S. G. (2018). Impact of critical thinking instruction on students' problem-solving skills in Brazilian primary schools. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 28, 24-33. DOI: 10.1016/j.tsc.2018.04.001
Garcia, S., Nguyen, M., & Wang, H. (2022). Impact of project-based learning on critical thinking skills among high school students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds: A mixed-methods study. Journal of Educational Equity and Inclusion, 33(2), 267-284.
Gonzalez, L. F., Hernandez, G., & Santos, M. (2020). Promoting critical thinking for sustainable development in Latin America: Challenges and opportunities. Sustainability, 12(24), 10417.
González, V., Leiva, R. A., & Cardenas, J. C. (2020). Integrating critical thinking into science education in Chile: A qualitative study. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 57(9), 1399-1422. DOI: 10.1002/tea.21660
Gredler, M. E. (2020). Learning and instruction: Theory into practice (8th ed.). Pearson.
Khan, A. N., Ullah, Z., Khan, S. A., & Nasir, R. A. (2019). Impact of critical thinking instruction on the problem-solving ability of university students in Pakistan. Journal of Education and Learning, 8(6), 195-205. DOI: 10.5539/jel.v8n6p195
Kolb, D. A. (2015). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development. Pearson.
Krajcik, J. S., Czerniak, C., & Berger, C. (2014). Teaching science in elementary and middle school classrooms: A project-based approach. Routledge.
Krajcik, J. S., Czerniak, C., & Berger, C. (2014). Teaching science in elementary and middle school classrooms: A project-based approach. Routledge.
Lee, A., Brown, K., & Martinez, L. (2021). Comparative effectiveness of different project-based learning approaches on critical thinking skills among high school students: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Experimental Education, 45(1), 78-95.
Lee, J., Kim, S., & Park, S. (2019). Improving critical thinking skills through general education in college students: A preliminary study. Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, 9(4), 522-535. DOI: 10.1108/HESWBL-08-2018-0089
Martinez, L., Nguyen, M., & Garcia, S. (2019). Perceptions of high school educators on project-based learning and critical thinking skills. Journal of Teacher Education, 28(4), 567-584.
Munro, M. (2019). Traditional versus problem-based learning: A comparative study in electrical and computer engineering. IEEE Transactions on Education, 63(4), 299-307.
Nortcliffe, A., & Middleton, A. (2015). Higher education, critical thinking and pedagogical practice: ‘This is what I have always wanted.’ Teaching in Higher Education, 20(4), 412-423.
Nzomo, S., & Mwangi, M. (2020). Promoting critical thinking skills among secondary school students in Kenya: A quasi-experimental study. International Journal of Educational Development, 76, 102189. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2020.102189
Oliveira, A., Santos, C., & Pereira, F. (2019). Assessing critical thinking skills among undergraduate students: A Brazilian perspective. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 41(6), 653-668. DOI: 10.1080/1360080X.2019.1655747
Patel, R., & Smith, J. (2018). Enhancing critical thinking skills for business professionals: A case study approach. Journal of Business Strategy, 39(1), 43-49. DOI: 10.1108/JBS-10-2017-0156
Rahman, N., Haque, M., Majumder, A., Haque, M., & Rahman, N. (2019). Integrating critical thinking components into medical education curriculum in Bangladesh: A qualitative exploration. BMC Medical Education, 19(1), 74. DOI: 10.1186/s12909-019-1508-8
Reyes, M. P., & Alipio, M. C. (2020). Fostering critical thinking skills for entrepreneurship education in the Philippines: A qualitative study. Education Sciences, 10(4), 112. DOI: 10.3390/educsci10040112
Savery, J. R. (2006). Overview of problem-based learning: Definitions and distinctions. Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-based Learning, 1(1), 3.
Smith, J., & Johnson, R. (2020). Meta-analysis of project-based learning in promoting critical thinking skills among high school students. Educational Research Review, 39, 123-140.
Smith, J., Jones, A., & Brown, K. (2017). Investigating the effectiveness of project-based learning in enhancing critical thinking skills among high school students. Journal of Educational Research, 42(3), 345-362.
Thomas, J. W., Mergendoller, J. R., & Michaelson, A. (2017). Project-based learning: A handbook for middle and high school teachers. ASCD.
Thomas, J. W., Mergendoller, J. R., & Michaelson, A. (2017). Project-based learning: A handbook for middle and high school teachers. ASCD.
Thomas, J. W., Mergendoller, J. R., & Michaelson, A. (2017). Project-based learning: A handbook for middle and high school teachers. ASCD.
Wang, H., Smith, J., & Lee, A. (2023). Role of technology in project-based learning for fostering critical thinking skills among high school students: A comparative study. Computers & Education, 58(3), 456-473.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Section Editor11; Prof. Bonface Kimani
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work’s authorship and initial publication in this journal.
