Curriculum Development for Project-Oriented and Problem-Based Learning (POPBL) with Emphasis on Personal Skills and Abilities*

Abstract

In this article, the author addresses the reasonably difficult topic on how to plan for implementing Project-Oriented and Problem-Based Learning (POPBL); this incorporates the development of students’ personal skills and abilities, which are to be considered equally important to developing students’ technical or professional competences. The author presents a series of reflections, which are based on a formulated vision, providing a possible model to develop a successful adaptation of a change process. Furthermore, through illustrative figures, the author advances the process in a logical way before presenting a profile that is based on decisions drawn from the reflection process. The author seeks to provide, in a clear and pedagogical manner, the results that can be used in adapting the process prior to implementing a new educational model at an institution. In the concluding section, the author supports his method by giving examples on recent comparisons of students’ learning outcomes between a project oriented learning model and a conventional teaching model.