Project-based Learning Practices Research Articles

Project-based learning in Australian & New Zealand universities: current practice and challenges

ABSTRACT Project-based learning is a key approach to better preparing students for professional engineering practice. An overview of current practice within Australia & New Zealand is needed to better support academics and their Learning and Teaching leadership in improving their practice. This paper benchmarks current project-based learning practice in Australian & New Zealand universities to identify how project-based learning is currently being delivered as well as challenges associated with project-based learning. Key considerations noted in our research include a variety in the reasons and subsequent designs for project-based learning, workload concerns for unit coordinators, a need to better support authentic project-based learning experiences, as well as a need to manage expectations around student satisfaction. These findings highlight key concerns associated with current practice and provide data for academics and their Learning and Teaching leadership to understand and take steps to ameliorate the challenges of project-based learning.

The Project-Based Learning Practices in the Teaching of Writing Course

The qualitative research aimed to observe Project-Based Learning (PjBL) implementation in writing courses viewed from the project types and the teaching-learning activities. Several activities in project-based learning implementation could be modified to meet various students’ needs, unexceptionally in the same subject. The various patterns of PjBL often resulted in the bias of its implementation among teachers who wanted to conduct this teaching model. The participants were the lecturers who taught the Professional Writing course in the fourth semester. Data were collected using observation of classroom activities, semi-structured interviews, and documentation. The collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis, emphasizing identifying, analyzing, and interpreting patterns of meaning within qualitative data. The findings show that the project types are different in the form of the final output: business plans and video essays. The other findings find that there is a variety of teaching-learning activities, but they have identical project-based learning patterns, namely (a) preparation, (b) planning, (c) creating a project, (d) monitoring and revising, and (e) evaluation. PjBL provides some advantages for students. Thus, it is suggested that all EFL (English as a Foreign Language) lecturers implement those five project-based learning patterns in their classes.

Research on Project-Based Learning Practice in Primary School Mathematics Focused on Core Literacy Cultivation

Project-based learning integrates mathematical knowledge and methods into real-life contexts and practical problems from the perspective of core literacy. By designing key stages such as project initiation, exploration, and optimization, students are encouraged to think like mathematical experts, actively integrate various resources, and personally experience the entire process of problem identification, formulation, analysis, and resolution. An outstanding project-based learning design should prioritize understanding of disciplinary knowledge, emphasizing the selection of materials derived from real-life situations, constructing scenarios leading to the core of the discipline, and using problem-driven approaches to stimulate student motivation. Furthermore, it should emphasize problem-solving during project implementation and aim for competence-building in project evaluation. This way, students gradually accumulate life and activity experiences, grasp mathematical thoughts and methods, develop various mathematical awareness, and ultimately cultivate core literacy in mathematics.

Engineering Students’ Perception of Learner Agency Development in an Intercultural PBL (Problem- and Project-Based) Team Setting

<italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Contribution:</i> This study explores the elements engineering students perceive as important for developing their learner agency in the context of intercultural project-based learning (PBL) teams. <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Background:</i> The concept of learner agency has recently gained prominence due to its relevance for student-centeredness, autonomy, self-regulation, and collaboration. Certain pedagogical approaches are known to specifically support the development of learner agency, including PBL, in which learners are provided with active, self-directed, and collaborative learning tasks. PBL practice is also increasingly diverse, emphasizing intercultural collaboration in teams. However, learner agency has received little research attention in PBL settings, and even less in intercultural PBL. This study contributes to the existing literature on the development of learner agency in intercultural PBL teams. <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Research Question:</i> What elements do engineering students consider important for supporting their learner agency development in an intercultural PBL team context? <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Methodology:</i> Theoretically, learner agency is framed within three interrelated dimensions, namely, intrapersonal, behavioral, and environmental. Based on this framework, a survey instrument with 31 items was constructed and responses were obtained from 310 engineering students. The survey used expert review, student piloting, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and Cronbach’s alpha to test content validity, construct validity, and reliability. The descriptive and demographic statistics were examined through <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$t$</tex-math> </inline-formula> -test and the analysis of variance test. <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Findings:</i> Five factors emerged from EFA: 1) interest and motivation; 2) self-efficacy; 3) self-regulated behaviors in teams; 4) team dynamics; and 5) external support. The statistical analysis shows that the interest and motivation factor was perceived by the engineering students as the most important. Furthermore, several demographic variables, including gender, nationality, year of study, and type of PBL learner based on their level of experience with PBL, were found to impact engineering students’ agency development.

A Mixed-Methods Study of Knowledge, Belief, and Practice Regarding Project-Based Learning of English Lecturers: A Case Study of a University in Thailand

The application of project-based learning (PBL) in English class has been growing in the Thai educational setting. However, a body of literature has revealed problems regarding Thai EFL teachers and their use of PBL. Hence, this convergent mixed methods research study aimed to quantitatively and qualitatively study the relationship among English teachers&amp;rsquo; PBL knowledge, belief, and practice in the Thai university context. A total of 52 Thai EFL teachers from a language institute of an autonomous university participated in this study. All of them were asked to complete a PBL knowledge test and a questionnaire on PBL belief and practice. Subsequently, non-participatory observations and follow-up interviews were conducted to capture in-depth information on the beliefs and practices of 15 participants. Thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data, whereas frequency, mean, standard deviation, Pearson&amp;rsquo;s product moment correlation, and multiple regression were used to analyze quantitative data.&#x0D; &#x0D; The findings revealed glaring inconsistencies in participants&amp;rsquo; knowledge, belief, and practice. Comprehensive knowledge of PBL was witnessed in the knowledge test. Positive belief about PBL was also reported. However, the observations and follow-up interviews revealed a pattern of recurring problems and factors negatively affecting the in-class application of PBL. The study suggests revisiting the three elements as well as the customization of teacher professional development to solve underlying problems and enhance the congruence of belief and practice regarding PBL in the Thai context.

Classification of Lessons Learned Generated by Students in the Practice of Project-Based Learning

Classification of Lessons Learned Generated by Students in the Practice of Project-Based Learning

University Educators’ Professional Learning in a PBL Pedagogical Development Programme

This study explored university teachers’ professional learning when participating in a pedagogical development (PD) programme. The PD programme, entitled the Aalborg Certificate on Basics of PBL and Curriculum Change, had a workload of 150 hours and ran for four months, involving 23 teachers from Universidad Nacional de Colombia (Bogotá, Colombia). The programme comprised four modules, delivered in a blended mode, and followed a problem- and project-based learning (PBL) approach, as well as being based on PBL principles. This investigation conceptualizes professional learning from the complex learning theory perspective, describing it as a complex dynamic system involving knowledge, motivations, values, attitudes, and beliefs dependent on social and individual contextual factors, and how these can lead to the implementation of alternative teaching practices in classroom (e.g., PBL). Building on that, this work addresses the following research questions: (1) What knowledge and beliefs have the PD programme participants developed about PBL? (2) In which ways do the developed knowledge and beliefs impact participants’ change towards PBL? This analysis takes a qualitative approach and uses multiple sources of data, namely participants’ portfolios and reflection essays, as well as a qualitative survey. The results show the participants developed a deep understanding of PBL principles and practices by experiencing them through the PD programme, and that reflective practice enables continuous professional learning and development. Additionally, their perceived challenges were related to time, as well as institutional support and infrastructures, in addition to student and teacher training.

Exploration on the Practice of &amp;quot;Project Based Learning&amp;quot; in the Field of Mathematics for Primary School Students

Project-based learning is a learning method that can implement the goal of educating people, can effectively promote the improvement of students' various abilities, and promote the cultivation of core literacy. Project based learning advocates that students are the main body, guide students to go out of the classroom, combine various learning methods to obtain knowledge, pay attention to students' actual ability, and develop ability. Project based learning has been supported by nearly 40 years of academic research and data, with rich theoretical research results, but there are few case studies on the practice of project-based learning in primary school mathematics. The 2022 new curriculum standard takes project-based learning as the implementation way to implement the goal of education, and provides some primary school mathematics project-based learning topics. In this paper, the author selected the second grade mathematics "Play with" Multiplication Formula "as the research topic, and carried out a practical study on the application of project-based learning in primary school mathematics teaching. According to the general process of "project-based learning", conduct practical research from the six steps of determining the project subject, analyzing project elements, designing driven problems, implementing project activities, publishing project results, and evaluating project learning, summarize the key links to carry out project-based learning, summarize the practical experience of developing project-based learning, and explore a practical path of project-based learning that conforms to the content of the discipline and the actual situation of the school. The implementation of project-based learning activities has improved students' interest in learning, developed their abilities, and yielded rich results in project-based learning. This study is expected to provide some reference and reference for the later development of the second classroom education of primary school mathematics.

Competence Development Strategies after COVID-19: Using PBL in Translation Courses

The 2019 pandemic had a direct impact on all educational stakeholders. While many teachers and trainers regarded the changes with some scepticism, others embraced the opportunity to integrate technology into their teaching-and-learning methods and resources. As translation trainers, it is essential to follow and understand the translation market. Translators require vast competencies, amongst which is the flexibility to adapt. In translation training, project-based learning (PBL) has been established as an essential teaching-and-learning method, as it has proven to foster the development of essential competencies, since it simulates the translator’s work environment. Thus, the need to implement new strategies within a short timeframe reinforced the practice of PBL. PBL reflects the work of a freelance translator, because it places the student at the centre of the learning process. In these situations, student self-regulation becomes essential, as it is necessary to analyse the market/situation/project received and be flexible enough to adapt to the specific context. As of 2018–2019, ISCAP implemented PBL as the main teaching-and-learning method in its Technical Translation courses. At the same time, on these courses, an ongoing qualitative quasi-experimental study on student self-regulated learning (SRL) began. The purpose is to understand student perception of their self-regulation competence and its development, or lack thereof, after using PBL to complete translation assignments. The study presented in this article aims to examine the possible effects an online-PBL approach may have on a student’s SRL during the pandemic. Students enrolled in the translation courses voluntarily answered a survey on SRL two times: at the beginning and then at the end of the course. The purpose was to analyse and compare each student’s responses before and after using PBL strategies, identifying changes in student perception over a six-month period. Additionally, we compare each group’s results over a period of three years, which includes the lockdown. Statistical analysis showed that a higher level of self confidence in autonomous learning was achieved, but a lower level of belief in the importance and usefulness of the course contents was noted. Additionally, the study revealed that, with the exception of time-management, student SRL increased. Results indicate that PBL is a useful simulation of the translation labour market and that it does enhance essential competencies, amongst which is student SRL.

Exploring the Practice of Project-based Learning in Multimedia Education—A Case Study of the Cultural Core Curriculum

Exploring the Practice of Project-based Learning in Multimedia Education—A Case Study of the Cultural Core Curriculum

The perceived impact of PBL program learning on shifting prospective teachers’ beliefs: A case study in China

As an important approach to learning and teaching, project-based learning (PBL) addressed in new curriculum reform at the middle school level in China raises the need for change in teachers’ beliefs, since teachers’ beliefs are important factors that influence their acceptance, adaptation, and implementation of PBL. Using qualitative content analysis, this study examined 23 prospective teachers’ (PTs) perceived beliefs shifts through participating in a systematic PBL program at a university. Data were collected from two open questionnaires for pre- and post-tests, respectively, which were about the beliefs about the nature of mathematics (BNM), beliefs about learning mathematics (BLM), and beliefs about teaching mathematics (BTM). The results revealed that PTs’ beliefs about BNM, BLM, and BTM were significantly shifted from the instrumentalist view or the Platonist view to the problem-solving view and that their shifts in BNM positively influenced the shifts in BLM and BTM. The implication for teachers’ professional development is that transforming teachers’ beliefs through systematic training on the theory and practice of PBL is feasible before implementing pedagogical innovations featuring PBL on a large scale.

PROJECT APPROACH TO LEARNING: EXPERIENCE IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

Different countries in their educational systems have accumulated extensive experience in using project technology in education. This technology is an alternative to traditional lecture teaching: it helps to connect theoretical material with practice in real life; to change the roles of students and teachers: students have the opportunity to become an active subject in the educational process, and teachers are engaged in organizing, managing and directing this process, and not just broadcasting ready-made information. The purpose of the article is an analytical review of the options for implementing project-based learning for students in Finland, France, Australia, China and the USA described in foreign peer-reviewed journals. A brief excursion into the history of the origin and development of the project-based learning method is given. The main characteristics of different approaches to its application are highlighted, which differ in the attitudes towards solving certain problems, the choice of goals and means of implementing educational projects. The article is an attempt to comprehend and generalize the world experience in the application of project technology in education. The materials of the publication provide an opportunity for managers of the education system of different levels and practicing teachers to get acquainted with the potential and diversity of project-based learning practices in order to adopt the best of them and the most acceptable for Ukrainian realities, adapting them to the conditions of specific educational institutions.

Teacher Professional Development and Practice of Project-Based Learning in Taiwan: The Moderating Effect of Self-Efficacy

ABSTRACT Throughout the world, educational leaders are pushing for a movement away from teacher-directed learning to engaging students in student-driven learning. Project-based learning (PBL) has been adopted as an instructional approach that promotes student inquiry and cognitive growth. At the national level, Taiwan has launched a curriculum reform to encourage PBL-type learning opportunities for students. This study draws on the Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) of 3,835 lower secondary teachers to investigate the degree to which Taiwan teachers engage in PBL. We identify influential factors for PBL using “the form” rather than “the content” of professional development and consider self-efficacy as a moderator to examine if the effect of professional development on PBL varies in teachers with different self-confidence in professional competence. The result indicates that teachers do not engage in PBL teaching strategies regularly. However, certain types of professional development do predict PBL practices, and self-efficacy is a significant moderator of this relationship. Professional development should attend to the advancement of teacher self-efficacy, primarily focusing on fostering capabilities of managing classrooms so the impact on teacher pedagogical practice can be greater. Additionally, school leaders should provide experiential learning and create enabling environments to sustain teachers’ drive for innovative teaching strategies.

Exploring Relationships between Professional Development and Teachers’ Enactments of Project-Based Learning

This paper examines whether teachers’ prior professional development (PD) in Project-Based Learning (PBL) significantly related to teachers’ enactments of PBL practices within the classroom. Teachers (N = 40) were recruited based on their commitment to enacting PBL in their classrooms. Teachers were surveyed regarding the extent to which they had experienced prior PD in PBL and asked to submit two videos of their classroom instruction. Videos were coded according to teachers’ quality enactment of PBL practices during instruction. Results suggest that teachers who had prior PD in PBL enacted more structure-driven PBL practices (e.g., setting up and managing projects) and incorporated more collaboration practices. However, for other purpose-driven practices of PBL (e.g., supporting student choice, supporting students to make personal connections), teachers with prior PD were no different from teachers without prior PD. The results suggest that teachers may need more intensive and fine-grained, practice-based PD in purpose-driven PBL practices.

Mapping Enabling Conditions for High-Quality PBL: A Collaboratory Approach

This paper explores enabling conditions for scaling high-quality project-based learning (PBL) to understand factors that influence how PBL spreads, whether and how it can be sustained and the extent to which it informs meaningful change in schools. We report on a year-long collaboration across three research projects. Each project team analyzed qualitative data from their individual project and then aggregated data across projects to understand similarities and variations in conditions that support the long-term implementation goals of PBL. We used systems mapping as a methodological tool and a case study approach to test and refine the map. We focus on two enabling conditions for PBL that emerged across all contexts: teacher agency and productive disciplinary engagement (PDE). Teachers reported having agency and described making instructional decisions and adapting PBL to support students’ needs. PDE motivated teachers to deepen PBL practices. While the studied collaboratory is not the first to pursue shared goals, to our knowledge it is the first to produce research that aggregates knowledge and data across projects. While scaling innovations in schools is complex, the results suggest that certain conditions enable PBL to be implemented with greater depth and can be generalized across contexts. We discuss the implications of this approach for researchers, stakeholders, and practitioners.

A new research base for rigorous project-based learning

A new body of research shows that project-based learning (PBL) can be effective in improving students’ academic performance and attempts to define some of the key practices that are essential to PBL. Kristin De Vivo summarizes key findings of four studies that covered multiple grade levels and subjects. The studies found that PBL is effective across racial and socioeconomic groups and reading levels. When teachers receive a well-designed curriculum, with professional development, they can quickly implement PBL. Key PBL practices include giving students opportunities to ask and answer authentic questions, aligning projects to standards, and collaborating to foster interdisciplinary learning.

The Evaluation of Teachers’ Practices of Project-Based Learning Strategy in Writing Instruction

This research is a qualitative study of the Project-Based Learning (PjBL) practice. PjBL is one of the three main teaching and learning methods suggested in the implementation of the 2013 curriculum. Researches on the teachers’ perception were mostly on the benefits of PjBL, but their understandings of PjBL were commonly ignored. Meanwhile, the teachers’ beliefs and perceptions affect what they do in the classrooms. Their perceptions deeply influence the way they plan, teach, and perform assessments. Therefore, this study is aimed at evaluating how the teachers perceive, plan, implement, and assess PjBL in writing instruction. The result of this study is expected to enrich the practical concept and theory of PjBL. Besides, it is important for the readers, especially the teachers to either revise or improve their perception, knowledge, and understanding of PjBL, especially in writing instruction. To collect the data, the researcher used a questionnaire, document, classroom observation, and interview. The findings show that the teachers have several incorrect perceptions of PjBL. Their misperceptions lead them to make inappropriate PjBL plans, implementations, and assessments. Accordingly, it reveals the teachers’ perceptions of PjBL were compatible with their PjBL plan, implementation, and assessment. However, this compatibility did not show the appropriateness of the teachers’ PjBL practice due to several misperceptions of PjBL of the teachers.

The Practice of Project-Based Learning to Outdoor Ecological Education on the Promotion of Students’ Problem-Solving Capability

People evolve from the nature; being in the nature is the best learning; and, a real classroom is the nature outside the window. The atmosphere of outdoor ecological education is therefore gradually formed. Outdoor ecological education has become an international trend in past years. Outdoor ecological education means the learning outside a classroom, expecting learners’ learning, through exploration, observation, operation, interaction, reflection, and connection with five-sense experience, being closer to the life experience and to cultivate talents being able to adapt to future life. Applying non-equivalent experimental design to the experimental research, total 236 college students of universities in Taiwan, as the experiment objects, are preceded the 15-week (3 hours per week for total 45 hours) outdoor ecological education integrated project-based learning 2x2 experimental teaching. The research results summarize the significant effects of outdoor ecological education on problem-solving capability, project-based learning on problem-solving capability, and the practice of project-based learning to outdoor ecological education curriculum on the promotion of learning effect. According to the results to proposed suggestions, it is expected that college students would present deeper cognition and learning on outdoor ecological education to really achieve the application, exploration, and creation capabilities from outdoor ecological education curriculum.

Developing Core Competence With Project-Based Learning: Voices From Chinese High School Students Serving Visually Impaired Students

Highlights This study explores the experiences of project-based learning (PBL) experimentation in Chinese high schools, especially the feedback that Chinese students have for better practicing PBL in China. We conducted a case study at two Chinese high schools in an intermediate city, Suzhou, which started their first PBL practice. The two high schools were chosen because of their unique initiative to mix visually impaired students (VIS) and ordinary students in a PBL course, which focuses on “designing accessible garbage bins for VIS.” Interviews and observations were conducted. All data are anonymized. After two rounds of thematic sorting and coding of the qualitative data, we found that the PBL course helped students develop two aspects of the civic participation dimension of core competence: social responsibility and problem-solving. Students learned to empathize with VIS to understand their needs and to build a more feasible and usable garbage bin. This study provides instructional recommendations in terms of how to better utilize the pedagogy of PBL in Chinese K-12 schools, particularly to support teachers to facilitate students' development of core competence and learning of inclusion, social responsibility, and sustainability by using the PBL technique.

Project-based learning in integrated science education: Active teachers’ perceptions and practices

Project-based learning (PBL) is a promising teaching method for integrated science education that has gained momentum in educational research and curriculum reforms, especially as a method to enhance 21st century skills and connected worldview. How teachers implement PBL greatly affects students’ content understanding and development of skills. The purpose of this qualitative study is to highlight active teachers’ PBL practices and their perceptions of the advantages and challenges of implementing PBL to better promote the implementation of PBL in teacher education programs and in integrated science education. This study consisted of two parts: (1) a qualitative-led survey and (2) a case study. First, the data for the survey was collected from January to March 2017 through an online reporting form of an international StarT programme. This programme supports the implementation of interdisciplinary and collaborative PBL in science, mathematics and technology education. 244 teachers from early childhood education to upper secondary school participated from 28 countries. Second, 12 PBL units reported by the teachers were chosen for a case study. The teachers exploited PBL practices that were theme- and inquiry-based, collaborative and engaging to students. However, closer inspection revealed variation and defects in the practices particularly in relation to assessment, using reflection and student-centred approach. In addition, teachers reported several challenges relating to the implementation of PBL. The results indicate that teachers see PBL as beneficial but need support with the implementation. Science teachers’ pedagogical competence in PBL could be promoted through collaborative learning in which students, teachers and other participants are learning from each other.