tööprojekt

A tööprojekt, in Estonian, refers to a student-led work project used in education that combines inquiry, planning and practical production. It is a common form of project-based learning (projektõpe) applied across subjects in schools and in vocational education. The emphasis is on producing a tangible result and a accompanying report or presentation that demonstrates learning and applied skills.

The purpose of a tööprojekt is to develop practical and transferable abilities such as research, problem solving, planning, collaboration, and communication, while linking learning to real situations. Projects can be interdisciplinary and may involve cooperation with local communities, businesses or organizations, providing authentic contexts for learning and assessment.

The typical process includes topic selection and goal setting, followed by planning and scheduling. Students gather information through experiments, fieldwork, observations, interviews, or data analysis. They produce a final product—such as a prototype, technical report, portfolio, or multimedia presentation—and present it to an audience, which may include teachers, peers or external stakeholders. Documentation and reflection are often required, usually in a portfolio or reflective notes. Assessment combines formative feedback with a summative evaluation, using rubrics that consider content quality, methods, collaboration, and self-assessment.

Educators and institutions frame and support tööprojekt as a learning activity, with teachers acting as facilitators, mentors, and assessors. Successful projects rely on clear criteria, access to necessary resources, time for planning and execution, and alignment with curriculum standards. Examples include scientific investigations, community service plans, design and build tasks, or documentation of vocational processes, all aiming to foster autonomy, responsibility, and the application of knowledge in real-world contexts.