The introduction of innovative technologies in the school is currently a priority. This activity is aimed at the formation of a qualitatively different, developed personality of the student. New state standards are calling for this. The project method is now used already in elementary school. Its task is to achieve the goal through careful development of the problem, which ultimately should result in a real practical result, framed in a certain way.
The project method in the school is mainly aimed at ensuring that students can independently acquire this or that knowledge by solving a practical problem that may relate to real life or is related to the subject being studied. In the latter case, the goal of the teacher, most often, is to teach children to strive for new information on their own.
I must say that in the West the project method has been used for a long time. For example, in many German schools this is almost the main way of learning. In Russia, the project method has been known since the beginning of the last century, but was banned in the 30s. This technology has not been used for more than 50 years, until the end of the 80s. Currently, it is gaining more and more popularity precisely because of its effectiveness.
The project method contributes to the development of children's cognitive skills, the ability to navigate the information space and independently formulate and state their knowledge. What specific tasks can children receive for introducing this method of learning into the educational process?
If we talk about geography in high school, then the class can be divided into groups, each of which is given a specific task. For example, take a trip along a route. The last children can choose for themselves. However, the teacher initially declares the starting point and end station. In addition to listing cities, as a result, students will have to defend their project: tell us why they chose this route, what is its duration, cost, advantages over similar ones, etc.
The project method is widely used in computer science lessons. And since this subject has been taught in a modern school since elementary school, students should be taught from an early age to work independently on the problem. The essence of the method is its pragmatic application. Learning is motivated primarily by interest in the end result. This technology is useful because it helps in solving certain problems, sometimes vital, and sometimes simply entertaining for students.
This method is used to teach the humanities and natural sciences. You can apply it in extracurricular activities. For example, in mathematics lessons, you can invite students to compose their own collection of tasks. The task can be given both individually and for a group. In collective work, children can distribute responsibilities, for example, one will be engaged in design, the other will be task inventions, the third will be their adjustment, etc.