Evaluation of different Project Based Learning designs in an MSc degree

Authors

  • Carmen García-Berdonés Universidad de Málaga
  • Luis Molina-Tanco Universidad de Málaga
  • Juan Pedro Peña-Martín Universidad de Málaga
  • Francisco García-Lagos Universidad de Málaga
  • Gonzalo Joya-Caparrós Universidad de Málaga
  • Arcadio Reyes-Lecuona Universidad de Málaga
  • Francisco David Trujillo-Aguilera Universidad de Málaga

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4995/muse.2014.2201

Keywords:

Project based learning, Teamwork, Self-guided learning, MSc degree

Abstract

The design and implementation of different Project Based Learning (PBL) approaches are presented in this paper. All of them were carried out in the framework of the MSc degree in Electronic Systems for Smart Environments from the University of Malaga. Four subjects were developed using different values of the three main parameters of PBL: teamwork, self-guided learning and project complexity. During two academic years, several indicators were used to evaluate these experiences: compliance with subject time schedules, scores obtained for the students, interaction of each student in his team and satisfaction of students with the experiences. Our results encourage the use of PBL in bachelor degrees but, at the same time, confirm that PBL implementation is not a trivial task when projects are complex or when a high level of autonomous learning is required from students. Teamwork difficulties have also been found. So, we discuss the need of reaching a minimum level of proficiency in some key competencies before using PBL.

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Author Biographies

Carmen García-Berdonés, Universidad de Málaga

Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería de Telecomunicación

Luis Molina-Tanco, Universidad de Málaga

Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería de Telecomunicación

Juan Pedro Peña-Martín, Universidad de Málaga

Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería de Telecomunicación

Francisco García-Lagos, Universidad de Málaga

Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería de Telecomunicación

Gonzalo Joya-Caparrós, Universidad de Málaga

Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería de Telecomunicación

Arcadio Reyes-Lecuona, Universidad de Málaga

Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería de Telecomunicación

Francisco David Trujillo-Aguilera, Universidad de Málaga

Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería de Telecomunicación

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Published

2014-03-24

How to Cite

García-Berdonés, C., Molina-Tanco, L., Peña-Martín, J. P., García-Lagos, F., Joya-Caparrós, G., Reyes-Lecuona, A., & Trujillo-Aguilera, F. D. (2014). Evaluation of different Project Based Learning designs in an MSc degree. Multidisciplinary Journal for Education, Social and Technological Sciences, 1(1), 169–186. https://doi.org/10.4995/muse.2014.2201

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Articles