Are you looking for a teaching method that allows students to tackle complex, interdisciplinary or cross-curricular issues? Do you want to enhance the integration of content and skills on the long term? Project-based education is a strong teaching method to reach these goals!

Project-based Education: What?

A project is a teaching method in which students learn over a longer period by studying and responding to complex questions, problems or challenges. Project-based education can take shape as independent work or group work with a strong emphasis on integrating content and skills of various course units. 

Students perform a series of activities without permanent supervision, leading to a final product which is presented for assessment. 

A specific example is a research project, during which students have to independently design a study and/or conduct it under supervision. This method shows the student whether they are capable of phrasing a research question, processing the relevant literature, developing an appropriate methodology and interpreting, reporting and evaluating the results of existing / own research. This dissertation or design can constitute the final part of a study programme, for example as a Master’s dissertation. 

How to Implement Project-based Education?  

A project ensures students work in an integrated manner. This teaching method facilitates developing final competencies such as problem-solving, critical thinking, co-operating and communicating, as well as creating and innovating. Project-based education can take place both within and outside of university premises.  

Project-based Education: Points to Consider?  

Consult with lecturers of the course units 

A clear assignment and proper supervision throughout the project with proper feedback during the process are crucial to reach good learning effects. When project work is implemented in a cross-curricular / interdisciplinary way, a thorough alignment of, and co-operation between, lecturers is vital. 

Provide a manual 

A student manual is a useful tool to support the process. Provide a project description, final and midterm products, a schedule, obligatory and suggested literature, assessment criteria and contact details of responsible project supervisors. 

Use technology 

Technology can support co-operation between students. As a digital learning environment, Ufora enables e.g. editing documents as a group or setting up peer assessment. 

Pay attention to the group, role and task allocation.  

The success of this teaching method depends on the composition and size of the groups. Assigning roles and allocating clearly defined subtasks helps to align group work with the project. 

Provide supervision 

Supervise the students actively during e.g. feedback sessions and pay attention to both the product and the process. 

Why is Community Service Learning a special type of project-based education?  

Community Service Learning (CSL) is a form of education where students apply the theory during a concrete social engagement, individually or in a group, within or outside the university walls (e.g., Engineering Technology students developing a tool for a person with a disability). This service is part of the course unit. 

This way, students are made aware of real needs within society. Knowledge sharing and reciprocity are therefore central. Not only does the student learn, but the organisation also benefits from the students’ assistance in their specific request. In addition, students are encouraged to reflect critically on their social contribution and their learning process. 

More on CSL.

Want to Know More? 

Consult the literature that was used for this Education Tip: 

• Bell, S. (2010). Project-Based Learning for the 21st Century: Skills for the Future. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas, 83(2,), 39-43.
• BV Databank. (2015). Project work. Consulted on 11/10/2019 via https://www.bvdatabank.be/node/175 
• Buck Institute for Education. (z.d.). PBLworks. Consulted on 11/10/2019 via https://www.pblworks.org/what-is-pbl