Doc.dr. Rasa Balvočiūtė, doc.dr. Dalia Rudytė, lekt.dr. Janina Šeputienė ir lekt. Jūratė Marcišauskienė Workshop on Problem Based and Project Based Learning 2013 April 2 - 6

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.

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.