Exploring Hungarian teachers' perceptions of project-based learning in science and math education

Abstract

Project-based learning (PJBL) emerges as an instructional teaching method promoting collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills among students. This pedagogical approach facilitates active engagement by forming student groups to collaboratively create and develop projects, thus, encouraging the exploration of diverse perspectives and ideas within the classroom. The PJBL approach departs from traditional learning methods and offers students opportunities for enjoyment, active participation, self-expression, and creativity. PJBL instills valuable teamwork skills from a young age by equipping students with essential resources for their future endeavors through immersive experiences. This article focuses on Hungarian teachers' perspectives on PJBL by employing a qualitative approach. The study conducts semi-structured interviews with nine educators to unravel their insights on the advantages and challenges of implementing PJBL in the classroom. The paper explores the nuanced views of Hungarian teachers and aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how PJBL is perceived in the educational landscape. The findings contribute valuable insights to the broader discourse on project-based learning displaying a context-specific lens on the perceptions of educators in Hungary and enriching the understanding of PJBL's dynamics within the educational settings.