Project-based learning is a multifaceted approach to teaching in which students explore real-world problems and challenges while working in small collaborative groups. Project-based learning is active and engaging and drives students to obtain a deeper knowledge of the subjects they're studying, and students develop confidence and self-direction as they move through both team-based and independent work. This project endeavored to assess the effect of participation in a project-based learning (PBL) activity of the Wind and Oar Boat School's curriculum on the self-efficacy of at-risk high school students. Twenty students participated in the program for both math and applied arts credits needed to complete their high school graduation requirements. Data were collected using a retrospective pre-then-post survey, participant observations, and semi-structured interviews. To assess student Self-efficacy, the researcher observed six constructs of self-efficacy, those being motivation, problem- solving, resilience, teamwork, confidence, and course skills. The findings were utilized to create student narratives that documented the experiences of the students in the program and provide the student side of the program and the changes that happened because of their participation in the program. Analysis of the retrospective survey confirmed that the students had statistically significant increases in all the constructs of self-efficacy, which was congruent with literature citations, researcher observations, and student interviews.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:pdx.edu/oai:pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu:open_access_etds-4379 |
| Date | 08 December 2016 |
| Creators | Weber, Benjamin Aaron |
| Publisher | PDXScholar |
| Source Sets | Portland State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Dissertations and Theses |
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