A Blended PBL Semester for Local Ordinary Universities in China

Abstract

In this paper, the current problems related with teaching and learning in application-oriented local universities in China were firstly analysed. More understanding about PBL model at Aalborg University was constructed from the essence of a learner’s learning process (Kolb’s learning cycle), based on which four elements that could have strong effects on students’ learning motivation and competence in team work were obtained, i.e., problems as trigger of learning, team in a project facilitating peer learning, assessment constructively aligned with intended learning outcomes and teaching method to be the driving source of the learning, teaching method/learning activities as activator for learning. Next, a concept of “blended semester” was proposed according to the real situations of local ordinary universities in China, breaking the invisible walls among different majors and providing a lot of opportunities for students’ interdisciplinary learning. Students’ lecture load is obviously alleviated and students from different majors or disciplines are encouraged to form studying groups to choose projects and course packages according to different engineering application themes. The external teachers are also encouraged to do supervision in teams for many internal teachers do not have sufficient engineering practice before being teachers in most local universities that hinders the individual supervision; Then, to facilitate the “blended semester” for effectively interdisciplinary PBL, a platform involving students, internal and external supervisors, university administrators, enterprises, governments was needed, in which a CH4 model explaining the student-centred learning was proposed as well. Through survey from students and teachers in universities, graduates, the blended semester with support from the platform with excitation mechanism is of promising practicability for better promotion of students’ learning motivation, skills in applying theory into practice and competences of good team.