Robyn Scott, Educational Consultant, TutorNerds LLC
Hi. Project based learning uses real world problems to help children learn. Experienced based learned allows the students to be personally involved and engaged in the learning experience. Phenomenon based learning encourages observation of real world phenomena. I think these are all great ways for middle school students to learn. The teen and pre-teen years provide a tough transition for most students and they often become bored of 'traditional' material. If they can remain personally engaged in their experiences and view the world around them (instead of just in a text book), they may be more likely to gain interest in the school environment. Any form of learning that uses the five senses (such as hands-on experiences in project based learning) is great for the majority of students in this age group.