Workshop on Problem Based and Project
Based Learning
2013 April 2 - 6
Doc.dr. Rasa Balvočiūtė, doc.dr. Dalia Rudytė, lekt.dr. Janina
Šeputienė ir lekt. Jūratė Marcišauskienė
• This five-day internship was organized within the
framework of the project “The Preparing and
Implementation of First Degree International
Joint Study Programme Economics and
Sustainable Business”.
• The goal of this internship - to acquire knowledge
of Problem based learning method, its principles
and features.
• The place of internship: The UNESCO Chair in
Problem Based Learning, Aalborg University,
Denmark.
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Anette Kolmos, chairholder for UNESCO chair in Problem Based
Learning, Aalborg University, informed visitors about Aalborg
University study system, departments, programs, student
learning conditions. All university study programs are based on
a unique model of teaching and learning: the problem-based,
project-organized model also referred to as “PBL - The Aalborg
model”.
The PBL-Aalborg Model gives the students the possibility for
independent learning to achieve knowledge and skills at a high
academic level. Many students also have the possibility of
working with the business community to solve real-life
problems. The learning model also helps the students learn,
how to analyze problems, how to work result-oriented and
finally how to do successful work within a team.
This method with some limitations can be adopted in the joint
study program.
• Professor Erik de Graaff introduced the evaluation system.
• He explained how prepared projects are defended at the
end of the semester and how examiners assess individual
student performance within the context of the group
project work.
• Professor introduced research in PBL results which help to
ensure that the model responds well to the demands and
changes posed by the surrounding society and changes in
the education area.
• The problem based learning method in joint study program
Economics and Sustainable Business will help students to
develop analytical and reflective thinking skills, project
management skills, improve skills of collaboration and
team work, they will learn how successfully address the
inevitable conflicts that arise in collaborative work.
• Professor Jette Egelund Holgaard presented the
peculiarities of working with first-year students.
• All programs include first-term academic work that
introduces and orients students to the problem and
project based educational model. This work addresses e.g.
learning theory, problem definition, project management,
conflict management, and approaches to collaborative
work.
• We can adopt this experience, teaching first-year students
how to formulate the problem and how to prepare project
plan. This can be implemented in the courses :
Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Business Finances,
Business accounting, Management, Human Resources
Economics, and etc.
Lars Bo Henriksen introduced the benefits of PBL
method:
• Problem and project based approach can be
effectively implemented at various study programs;
• Students develop strong competencies in problem
formulation, self-reflection, meta-cognition, and
collaboration.
• Students are encouraged to integrate knowledge
from across the traditional disciplines in the project
work in order to analyze and solve the problem.
• PBL develops lifelong learning skills.
•
At the Faculty of Business and Management
employees shared the experience gained
through the PBL method implementation. It
should be noted that this faculty is especially
international, because more than two-thirds
of students are young people from around the
world. Communication with students revealed
that problem-based learning allows them to
share their different experiences and solve
common problems, such as environment
protection, sustainable development, and so
on.
• Professor Mona-Lisa Dahms
introduced how teachers,
supervisors, administrative stuff
are trained to apply PBL method.
• Aalborg university has several
study programs for preparing
specialists in PBL.
• We had discussions after each
presentation. The discussions with
students were especially useful.
Students expressed their views on
the PBL method in the study
process.
• Aalborg University has students and educators from around the world.
Each group of students working in PBL method is international, its
members come with different experiences, attitudes, cultural traditions.
Working together, they learn to cooperate in seeking joint solutions to
solve the problems that require knowledge in international law,
management, economics and other fields. Students develop joint
projects in which even large international companies are interested in.
International experience is acquired not only by students but by teachers
also: university has teachers from different European countries:
Germany, Austria, Sweden, Belgium.
• During internship we acquired a deeper understanding about PBL, its
principles, features, what conditions are required, what competences are
gained, how assessment and evaluation processes are organized, what
are benefits and risks.
• Gained knowledge will be useful for implementing PBL method in Joint
Study Programme Economics and Sustainable Business.