What is PBE?

Definition

Project-based education (PBE) is an educational approach that uses project work to foster subject-specific and transferable competencies, as well as independent learning. Students are split into teams, which may be guided by coaches, and are given a challenge situated in a practice-based context. Through independent inquiry and research, as well as a variety of inputs (such as lectures and expert visits) teams develop problem statements and solutions that are presented at the end of the course.

Core Principles

Under the term "project-based", we recognise that there are many varieties of projects and many methods that can be applied within projects. Across this diversity, however, there are some core principles:

Context: Relevance and Connection to Practice

The project is situated in a relevant, practice-based context and is central to the course’s curriculum, i.e. a substantive part of the content is learnt through the project.

Process: Agency and Independence

The project offers students a degree of freedom in the defintion of a problem/situation, the project process and/or the development of the outcomes of the project. It promotes independent inquiry and exploration and through this stimulates agency and piques curiosity.

Guidance: Collaboration and Mentoring  

Students collaborate in (interdisciplinary) groups. Coaches moderate the team process. The lecturers facilitate the learning process by providing guidance and prompting the groups to find solutions independently. Experts may be invited to provide subject-matter insights, feedback and reviews. Depending on the project size and structure, the roles of the lecturer, coach, and expert may be fulfilled by multiple individuals or the same person.

Outcome: Results and Assessment

Students undertake formative assessments throughout the project, and produce a final result that is typically presented to peers and (ideally) external stakeholders from the practice context. Assessments (formative or summative) are graded such that both subject-specific and transferable competencies are assessed.

Learning: Reflection and Evaluation

The project must be designed and delivered in a way that students are encouraged to reflect on their own learning journey and can understand how both subject-specific and transferable competencies are fostered through the project.