PEDAGOGICAL TECHNOLOGY «PROJECT METHOD»AS A PATH TO ACTIVE LEARNING

The project method should be considered as one of the key pedagogical technologies that promote active learningand the formation of universal competencies of students. The article presents an analysis of the theoretical foundations ofthe project method, its impact on the development of cognitive independence of schoolchildren, the formation of criticalthinking, communication skills and the ability to solve practical problems. The classification of educational projectshas been carried out, taking into account the scope and age characteristics of students: in elementary school, play andcreative projects are preferred, in middle school – research and practice-oriented, and in high school – interdisciplinaryand social. The stages of project activity are described – “concept development, implementation and summing up”, theirstructural and substantive content is presented. Special attention is paid to the formation of problem-solving competencein the organization of project activities, criteria for evaluating project work. The conducted research confirms that thesuccessful implementation of the project method in the educational process significantly activates it, but at the same timerequires structural methodological training of teachers and changes in traditional approaches to evaluating educationaloutcomes. The conclusions emphasize the importance of the project method for organizing active learning, developingcognitive independence, critical thinking and communication skills