Identifying students’ learning difficulties in human and computer interaction course through the implementation of project based learning model

Abstract

This study aimed at identifying students’ learning difficulties in Human and Computer Interaction course through the implementation of Project Based Learning model (PjBL model). PjBL Model has 6 stages, starting from giving essential questions, continuing with designing a project, writing the project implementation schedule, monitoring, carrying out the project product evaluation, and ending with carrying out the learning experience evaluation. The study used observation sheet, rubric and interview guide for collecting the data and descriptive qualitative analysis for analyzing the data. The collected data were reduced and presented and then analyzed to get some conclusions. The result of the study showed that it was still found out or identified that the students had difficulties in learning in Human and Computer Interaction course through the implementation of the PjBL model. However, the amount of the difficulties was not significant. The learning difficulties experienced by the students were caused more by an internal factor, namely the low motivation of the students as the result of their low interest in courses that contain programming and they tended to prefer a multimedia course. However, it was admitted by the students that Human and Computer Interaction course taught by the PjBL model had given them unique experiences. The students felt that there was an increase in knowledge from the problem-solving activities that they did, since they had a great opportunity to explore their abilities by themselves so that they had new knowledge and experience which made their learning activities better.