The Love for Learning: Promoting Curiosity and Student Academic Ownership Through Interest-Driven Project-Based Learning
Item
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Title
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The Love for Learning: Promoting Curiosity and Student Academic Ownership Through Interest-Driven Project-Based Learning
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Creator
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Maxwell Copeland
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Degree Name
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Master of Arts in Teaching (initial licensure)
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Project Type
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Action Research Project
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Date
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6/15/2025
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Abstract
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This action research project investigates the impact of interest-driven project-based
learning (PBL) on fostering student academic ownership and enhancing perceptions of learning. The study is grounded in constructivist theory, which emphasizes the active role of students in constructing their knowledge. The project focuses on a diverse group of 12th-grade students at Frederick High School, exploring how giving students autonomy to select topics that align with their interests influences their engagement and academic performance. Through a combination of surveys, interviews, observational data, and final project assessments, the research aims to determine how such learning approaches can cultivate a deeper sense of student agency and academic pride. Results indicate that students who participated in interest-driven PBL demonstrated significant improvements in their self-perception as learners, increased engagement during the learning process, and greater ownership over their academic work. This study highlights the potential of project-based learning to enhance educational experiences by aligning student interests with curriculum goals, thereby fostering intrinsic motivation and long-term academic growth.
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Keywords
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Project-Based Learning
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Student Self-Perception
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Student Ownership
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Committee Member
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Amy Bowden
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Coley Lehman
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Maxwell Copeland
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Rights
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Western Oregon University Library has determined, as of 06/20/2025, this item is in copyright, which is held by the author. Users may use the item in accordance with copyright limitations and exceptions, including fair use. For other uses, please ask permission from the author.
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https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en
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Language
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eng
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Type
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Text
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Identifier
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MaxwellCopeland_ARP_2025
