practice based learning in higher education: experiences in turkey

Practice Based Learning in Higher Education: Experiences in Turkey

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yıldız ArıkanBahçeşehir University, Faculty of

Engineering

WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated Education21.06.2012, Istanbul

1. The Erasmus Multilateral Project: Education, Practice & Research, Promoting Practice-

Based Learning in the Higher Education ; Provisions for Business Administration, Engineering and Vocational Teacher Education

2. Practice Based Learning Workshop at Bahçeşehir University

3. Insights and Remarks for a Better Practice Based Learning Framework.

WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated Education21.06.2012, Istanbul

Outline

This presentation summarizes the findings of a practice based learning workshop held at Bahçeşehir University with the participation of four universities from Turkey.

The workshop was organized as a requirement of the project titled:

“Euronet-PBL: Education, Practice & Research, Promoting Practice-Based Learning in the Higher Education, provisions for Business Administration, Engineering and Vocational Teacher Education” http://www.euronet-pbl.net.

WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated and Education 21.06.2012, Istanbul

The Erasmus Multilateral Project

http://www.euronet-pbl.net/

The project had partner universities and partner enterprises from six countries ◦ University of Bremen, ITB: Germany ◦ Akershus University College: Norway, ◦ Sabancı University: Turkey◦ University of Maribor: Slovenia◦ University of Limerick, EMRC: Ireland ◦ Aalborg University : Denmark

These partners covered three academic domains◦ vocational teacher education, ◦ economics/business administration and ◦ engineering studies




Germany- The Project Coordinator

Ireland Norway Turkey Denmark

Slovenia

Vocational teacher and

engineer education

engineering studies /CO-OP

economics/business

administration

The reason for launching the Euronet-PBL project is that ◦ somewhat similar models have been used parallel to each other

without common quality awareness. ◦ Consequently, the European discussion of special approaches to

problem-, practice- and project-based learning has been limited. Questions raised:

◦ What kinds of approaches to practice-based learning are currently used and what is their role in the emerging European Higher Education Area? Can European studies and analyses contribute to common European quality awareness?

◦ What is the role of field studies that involve students, companies and university representatives? Can our jointly developed methodologies and evaluation tools bring us into common discussion at the local level and across the participating regions?

◦ What kinds of benefits can be seen for different parties involved – students, companies and the universities? Can such benefits be assured with the help of common frameworks, guidelines and supporting tools?

WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated Education 21.06.2012, Istanbul



The basic activities consisted of ◦ case studies, ◦ stakeholder interviews and ◦ evaluation workshops for analyzing the

functioning of practice-based learning in the local or European environment.

◦ valorisation workshops for validating the findings and examining the transferability of the approaches to wider contexts.


The workshops was to carry out the following tasks:

to validate the analyses of the development of practice-based learning in the respective country and in the respective domain;

to discuss domain-specific initiatives for further development of practice-based learning arrangements and related cooperation between universities and enterprises;

to draw conclusions for drafting common guidelines as well as country- and domain-specific recommendations.


Practice Based Learning Workshop at Bahçeşehir University

The workshops brought together four universities with different practice-based learning models

Made it possible to discuss domain-specific initiatives for further development of practice-based learning arrangements and established the roots for cooperation between universities

Made it possible to understand the similarities and differences between the programs and draw conclusions for drafting recommendations for a better PBL framework.



Bahçeşehir University and TOBB ETU University are◦ two foundation universities, employing the CO-OP model

of practice based learning, which they designed to satisfy their specific needs and objectives,

Dokuz Eylül University, is a state owned university with a problem based learning program totally integrated into its curriculum in a number of Faculties it has.

Sabanci University, a foundation university and the project partner, employed a totally innovative practice oriented approach to MBA Education



TOBB ETU University TOBB ETU University was established in 2003,

by the supporting organization, TOBB (Union of Chambers and Commodity Ex changes of Turkey).

TOBB is the biggest NGO in Turkey formed by more than 1,350,000 member companies.

The objective of the University is stated as “to give students balanced theoretical knowledge and work experience, yet retain the characteristics of a research university”.


CO-OP practice is a degree requirement for all students regardless of their department.

The model is based on alternative cycles of in-class academic and in-the-field practical training at sophomore, junior and senior levels.

TOBB ETU model is based on paid employment of each student by the employers during their practical terms.

The CO-OP program stipulates for a full-time class enrollment and full-time employment that are not mixed together.


TOBB ETU University

TOBB ETU COOP model is fitted into the current four year programs.

The University had already signed COOP protocols with 650 companies and obtained 1450 year-round workplaces as of June 2010


TOBB ETU University


Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir, Turkey, was established in 1982 with three faculties, Art, Medicine and Engineering.

At present there are, ◦ 11 Faculties◦ 2.985 Academic Staff & Assistants◦ Around 40 Thousand Students

Dokuz Eylül University

Practice and Problem Based Learning (PPBL) in 9 Eylül University dates back to 1997 when the Faculty of Medicine first employed it while totally abandoning its old educational model that prevailed in all other similar medical schools in Turkey.

The motivation towards PPBL in the Engineering Faculty was created by a number of factors which are listed below:◦ Rector’s Leadership◦ Influences of Faculty of Medicine◦ Recognition of the Biological Fundamentals of Learning◦ Recognition of shortcomings of the classical system◦ Low student attendance to classes◦ Industrial Needs ◦ Desire to raise pro-active engineers ◦ Adaptation to the Changing Environment (student-centered &

constructivist approaches)WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated and Education 21.06.2012,

Istanbul


There are Four Main features of PPBL at Dokuz Eylül University:

1. Student (Learner) Centered2. Team Work experience3. Integration of knowledge4. Based on Real Life Problems

It is a Modular Based Small Group P&PBL Active Learning Model

◦ 1'st Year: 7 Modules Each of 2 Weeks (+Project Oriented Learning)◦ A Module: PBL Sessions+ Lectures …◦ 4 th Year Project Based Learning: 3-4 Modules Each of 4 Weeks◦ Problem Based Learning Building Consisting of 120 Rooms!




(Problem-Based) Integrated Program

MODULE #1

MODULE #2

MODULE #3

Sequence of Knowledges

Knowledge creation is achieved in a sequence of three modules an example of which for Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department program is given below


Measurementof PhysicalQuantities

Measurementof PhysicalQuantities

UnitSystemsUnitSystems

Dim.analysis

Dim.analysis

NumbersNumbers

VectorsVectorsComplexnumbers,cartesiancoordinatesystem

Complexnumbers,cartesiancoordinatesystem

ErrrorRoundingErrrorRounding FunctionsFunctions

ImportantmaterialsImportantmaterials

Interatomicbounds

Interatomicbounds

Electron, Proton, Neutron

Electron, Proton, Neutron Quantity

propertyQuantityproperty

PhysicalChemicalEvaluation

PhysicalChemicalEvaluation

solid. atom structure

solid. atom structure

NoncrystalmaterialsNoncrystalmaterials

CrystalstructureCrystalstructure

Metalmaterials.Metalmaterials.

Engn.Materialclassification.Engn.Materialclassification.

Atomiccoordinat.

Atomiccoordinat.

State of SubstratesState of Substrates

AtomAtom

MaterialMaterial

Phys.Phys.

Math.Math.

AccuracyExactnessAccuracyExactness

SequencesSequences

ContinoutyContinouty

Limit Limit

EngnineeringMaterialstructures

EngnineeringMaterialstructures

The first The first modulemodule: : Measurement of physical quantitiesMeasurement of physical quantities..

Learning Learning Subjects/OSubjects/Objectivesbjectives and and TTheir interheir interrelationshipsrelationships

Ametal materials

Two goals to achieve:First the University intends to provide its students practical training and work place experience in companies in Turkey and abroad. The university therefore opens its campus

globally to international students and companies.


Bahçesehir University CO-OP Model

The second goal is to offer its students Branded Courses.

Given by experts from CO-OP business partners under the guidence of Bahçeşehir University academics,

Th e courseseducate students in a specific area of interest or industry need.

Branded courses are available to the students as electives, and upon the successful completion of the course the student is awarded with a certificate.


Bahçesehir University CO-OP Model

IBM, “Service Oriented Architecture” Schneider Electric, “Energy Efficiency and

Savings” Alcatel Lucent , “Telecommunication

Technologies” Microsoft, “ Microsoft C# Laboratory” Mercedes Benz, “Materials and Distribution

Management”


Sample Branded courses :

Bahçeşehir University CO-OP model is a flexible and noncompulsory model.◦ the length and timing of the work training is

determined according to the desires of the student and the partner institution.

◦ the students may fulfill their minimum of 30 days of practical training on weekends or during the summer, or without interruption in 3-6- or 9-month periods at the partner institutions.


Bahçesehir University CO-OP Model:

“A Truly Practice Driven Approach” An innovative model of experiential learning! Practical and action oriented project

engagement undertaken by a team of MBA students.

Learning while doing pedagogy . Radical example of University- Industry

partnering relationship, realized through a real life project


Sabanci University: The project PartnerCompany Action Projects(CAP)

CAP brings together managers and students to formulate and solve problems with significant importance to companies

Teams of students are placed into the companies for a whole academic year for two days a week

Successful results and great benefits to both companies and students


Sabanci University

“CAP” is not a requirement of a course, courses match the requirements of CAP !

Integration of the MBA curriculum is achieved by CAP Process.

Within CAP Process ◦ Practice Development and Sharing courses and◦ Just-in Time Seminars altogether

support learning and project management

Sabanci University

Behind both TOBB-ETU and Bahçeşehir University CO-OP programs, there lies a very well organized structure and well run office to manage this large scale organizational project involving large number of students and partners as well as academia.

Furthermore, the above mentioned two universities provide evidence that the CO-OP office carries out self assessment surveys for the improvement of the programs.


Insights and Remarks for a Better Practice Based Learning Framework.

In Bahçeşehir University CO-OP education is not compulsory but this does not mean that the students do graduate from the university without going through a practical training program of any sort.

In the Engineering Faculty, every student has to fulfill the requirements of a so called “Capstone Project”,◦ an individual student project which lasts two

semesters in the fourth year before graduation and◦ is on a subject with practical implementation

aspects as well as theoretical knowledge building or enhancement. WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated and Education

21.06.2012, Istanbul

Insights and Remarks for a Better Practice Based Learning Framework

Dokuz Eylül University PPBL Program is a total revolution to conventional well developed programs but it has features, which makes it very demanding to implement.

It demands on the professors to create problems or cases for each subject to be learned, and each case should be unique and utilized only by one of the teams to learn that subject.◦ It needs adequate physical capacity to accommodate

teams and patience and creativity from the professors. Sabanci University’s CAP model is in a way similar to

the DEÜ model in the sense that practical work, practice based learning is embedded into many aspects of the MBA program.



Comparing with DEÜ complex model, the other models of PBL are only complementary to the existing conventional programs.

The above statement does not bring the credibility of such programs down. ◦ For instance TOBB-ETU COOP model has a special

feature because it was designed by giving great consideration to the needs of Business Community and each year, creates graduates, who are well educated and highly aware of the needs of the industry.



The four universities discussed here all have successful PBL Programs. However this set of Universities is not exhaustive.

There are many other universities which employ some degree of practical work as part of their higher education program, depending upon the subject of education. ◦ A compulsory Internship requirement to graduate in

the engineering education ◦ the training requirements in medicine, dentistry and

Law education are not counted.



.

Further collaboration of Turkish universities for sharing and learning from each other’s practices can create much benefit to all parties involved.

Developing a similar assesment tool which makes use of criteria jointly determined by the participating universities may serve the objectives

Bahcesehir University CO-OP Organisation can take the lead.


Final Word


THANK YOU

practice based learning in higher education: experiences in turkey

Documents

practicebased learning

projectbased learning

turkey practice

higher education provisions

international conference

practice research

learning workshop

better practice