Literature Review

Abstract

This chapter reviews conceptual and empirical literature relevant to the present study of academically-able students’ perspectives on their independent learning from participating in a research-based project work curriculum at an independent secondary school in Singapore. The chapter is in four main parts. The first part reviews literature on the concept of project-based learning, including the roles of teachers and students in this approach and the key elements that influence project-based learning. The second part of the chapter presents the conceptual framework of the study, which is based on the theory of social constructivism. This part also relates the application of social constructivism to online and virtual learning communities, which provides a context for the present study. The third part of the chapter addresses information technology in project work. The final part of the chapter surveys empirical literature on project work and project-based learning internationally and nationally.