Assigning group research projects is one of the more popular new wave teaching methods also used in public education environments. Group research projects give students the opportunity to learn about a subject and improve their interpersonal communication skills as the project forces students to manage different tasks and work together regardless of their ability level. From the new wave perspective, it's particularly important because it forces social interaction and also illustrates that every group member has unique abilities and knowledge to bring to the project.
Experiential learning is becoming a popular progressive teaching method with students directly participating in activities and experiences related to learning topics. Field trips are the most common experiential learning experience in schools., Other experiential learning methods include mock trials and job simulations. These allow students to develop functional skills by experiencing the subject matter firsthand and immediately applying it as learned knowledge.
Montessori-based education is one of the more popular new wave teaching methods. Montessori schools place a high focus on psychological and psychosocial development and how people naturally learn and apply knowledge. One of its principles is the idea of self-construction, which is the psychological philosophy that students are constructed by interactions with their learning environment. Instead of placing students into grades every new year, students instead graduate to different "planes" of education. There are five planes of development, the last beginning from 18 years old and ending at about the age of 24.
The principle method of active learning in new wave education is enabling students to take an active role in developing their own curriculum. By using this method, students explore what they are naturally talented at and interested in. They are able to develop their own educational questions and set their own educational standards, which facilitates a mindset focused on possibilities and achievements. This method also reinforces the educational principle that learning is an active construction of ideas opposed to passively absorbed information and practice.