Project-Based Learning for 21st-Century Skills: An Overview and Case Study of Moral Education in the UAE

Abstract

Project-based learning (PBL) is a relatively recent innovation in teaching methodology that uses real-world learning activities to engage student interest and motivation. PBL equips students with skills necessary for the current job market: communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. This paper provides an overview of PBL, highlighting its effectiveness and potential role in helping students learn these skills. Steps for successful implementation of PBL are outlined, with particular focus on project design and assessment methods. PBL is then linked to moral education, both generally and with specific reference to the United Arab Emirates, with examples showing how PBL has been utilized to achieve this country’s educational policy aims. The paper concludes that PBL should be adopted to deliver the moral education curriculum and promote student engagement in community development projects.