1. Innovative Strategies in Higher Education: Let the Students Take Center Stage!
Jeanne Godin, Nathalie Poirier and Cynthia Caron
AAFCS, June 28,2017
Dallas, Texas

3. literature What? Project based learning Why? Advantages
Critical reflection
How?
Agent of change
Results
literature

4. Project Based Learning
Is an instructional model based on having students confront real world issues and problems that they find meaningful, determine how to address them, and then act in a collaborative fashion to create problem solutions.
Bender, 2012 p. 1
Although research shows that project-based learning is an effective and engaging practice in constructing knowledge in school settings (Krauss 2013; Bender, 2012), it has not been extensively used in higher education (Helle, Tynjala, & Olkinuora 2006).

5. Project Based Learning (PBL)
Teaching approach which allows students to create projects that are self-directed, authentic, and contribute to the well-being and empowerment of the community. Godin, inspired by FCS values .
Although research shows that project-based learning is an effective and engaging practice in constructing knowledge in school settings (Krauss 2013; Bender, 2012), it has not been extensively used in higher education (Helle, Tynjala, & Olkinuora 2006).

6. Defining features (Thomas 2000)
Central to the curriculum
Authentic, realistic content
Active and cooperative learning
Constructive investigations
Critical reflection
Culminates in realistic products or presentation

7. Students’ perspective:
Active participants
Interesting for us to pick our subject
Motivated to work on it

8. What?
Project based learning
Why?
Advantages
Critical reflection
How?
Agent of change
Results

9. Advantages (Bender, 2012)
Increased student motivation and interest in completing the work that is required
Increased engagement with the learning content
Higher levels of critical thinking and retention
4.27 minutes on task in a science instruction 45 minute class

10. Students’ perspective:
High motivation for providing accurate information
The cause is important

11. Critical reflection How to buy: A house A car Life-insurance
How to get a credit card
Make-up
Agent for change :
Housing needs
Transportation options
Family needs for insurance
Broad concepts
As she analysed the content of the course and the values and assumptions it carries and reflected upon her way of teaching, she acknowledge that she still follow the “how-to-do-it rules” of the Home Economics philosophy deplored by Brown (1984).
Broad concepts are larger, more encompassing and have enduring value beyond the classroom. They also help teach the whole rather than the parts. The original concept of the project was to have students strengthen their theoretical knowledge by studying more deeply a topic related to one of the themes presented in class. Through project-based learning the focus of this project is to analyse and critique a current social issue affecting individual and/or family finances and to lead the students to concrete positive action in the community. D
Before PBL
After PBL

12. What?
Project based learning
Why?
Advantages
Critical reflection
How?
Agent of change
Results

13. Agent of change Identify topics of interest
Groups or individual projects
Planning and researching
Interviews with experts or stakeholders
Learning activity
Reflective evaluation

14. Students’ perspective:
Results

15. The Financial situation of low income single mothers
Martine, Nathalie et Symone

16. Expert interviewed : Credit Union Financial advisor
Mets few single mothers
Budget
Priorities
No training
Specializes in mortgage
Few are home owners

17. Cost of living in Moncton

18. Activity
Aim :To inform professionnels working with single mothers.

19. Publicity and the consumer
Cynthia Caron

20. Activity

21. References
Bender, W.N. (2012). Project-based learning: differentiating instruction for the 21th century. Thousand Oaks: Corwin.
Thomas, J. W. (2000). A review of research on project-based learning. Available at: Research.pdf
West, J.J. & Simmons, D. (2012). Preparing Hispanic students for the real world: Benefits of problem-based service learning projects. Journal of Hispanic Higher Education. 11(2),

22. Thank you very much!
Questions or comments?