Project-based learning is to create a situation or propose a problem imitating what is in real life for students and students are required to proceed with a long-term exploration to solve the problem with all techniques or knowledge they have acquired. In this process, students will train their skills and learn new knowledge while solving the problem (Powerschool, 2021).

There are basic characteristics of project-based learning. Firstly, it is student-oriented. In traditional learning, the teachers are the central figure and the main deliverer of knowledge while the students have to follow the instructions of the teachers without much space for themselves to explore. However, project-based learning requires students to work independently with their classmates without specific directions from teachers. What they will learn and how much they will harvest depends on their own efforts and their interaction with classmates and the project (A Guide to Using Project-Based Learning in the Classroom, 2020).

Secondly, it is more demanding and meaningful. Project-based learning can not be handled by students cramming knowledge overnight to memorize specific answers. Instead, it requires sufficient knowledge basis to solve practical problems. In this context, it is more challenging. From another perspective, since such a project is intended for a real-life situation, students would be exposed to real challenges and provide solutions that will bring real changes to people’s lives. Thus, it is also meaningful (A Guide to Using Project-Based Learning in the Classroom, 2020).

Thirdly, project-based learning is interdisciplinary. In the traditional examination, students will only employ the knowledge they have learned in this subject. However, when it comes to a project, students would have to employ various skills from different disciplines (A Guide to Using Project-Based Learning in the Classroom, 2020).

Fourthly, project-based learning can cultivate students’ teamwork. To finish such a project, students will have to make a plan, search for relevant information, divide their tasks, go on field study and overcome different challenges.

I think such a learning approach matches our topic. Our topic is Nanjing Massacre, and the course content needs more interpretation and understanding rather than memorization. Besides, our course is intended to provide different perspectives. Project-based learning allows teamwork. A group of students, especially those from different cultural backgrounds would be more useful for students to be aware of different standpoints and perspectives. Students can also observe the distinction of official attitudes from different governments through the education of students from diverse backgrounds. In addition, project-based learning enables students to interact with people other than mere classmates so that they can be exposed to more people and more diverse opinions. They can find out the proportion of different opinions and also try to dig out the reasons behind such distinctions.

This approach can be used in our final interactive project. I have some proposals that can be used. For example, we can ask students to make a survey among students or local residents. The students can prepare some questions, for example, what they have known about Nanjing Massacre, who should be to blame for such huge violence, and also how they feel about the Japanese government’s attitude towards the event. After the survey, the students are required to submit a report including some statistics, analysis, and their own understanding or explanation. Apart from that, we can also assign an activity where the students are required to do research, prepare some materials, and deliver a speech to the local residents. In the process, they can not only deepen their own understanding but also observe other local citizens’ responses to this event, which is align with our course objective.

References

A Guide to Using Project-Based Learning in the Classroom. (2020, March 11). True Education Partnerships. Retrieved October 9, 2022, from https://www.trueeducationpartnerships.com/schools/a-guide-to-using-project-based-learning-in-the-classroom/

Powerschool. (2021, June 14). Project-Based Learning: Benefits, Examples, and Resources. https://www.powerschool.com/blog/project-based-learning-benefits-examples-and-resources/