Project-based &Competence based education

Jacques BazenSchool of Business, Building and TechnologySaxion University of Applied Sciences

For Time2Teach forum in Russia, October 2013

Overview

1. The importance of project based education

2. How it works

3. Opportunities/Risks

4. Some examples

The importance of project-based education

Why we at Saxion felt our education system needed to change:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmwwrGV_aiE

The importance of project-based education

• As educational model for our study programs we use the Action-learning principle

• Both lecturers and students work on real life projects (lecturer has also role of coach)

• Needs constant reflection also by the lecturer about application of theory in practice:paradigm change forlecturing

Effectivity of learning methods

How it works:Theoretical Background

• As theoretical model for the teaching itself, we use the “Four stages of competence model”, attributed to Abraham Maslow.

• Learning any skill develops in four stages:– Unconscious incompetence– Conscious incompetence– Conscious competence– Unconscious competence

How it works:Theoretical background

• To move from one learning stage to the next, we adopted the Experiential learning model by David A. Kolb- Concrete experience (and conceptualization of abstract ideas)- Active experimentation(and reflective observation)

How it works: steps

• The student gets only basic knowledge during classes in the university.

• In the first year, students have to work on a student business project Multus

• Relatively strong guidance of lecturers

How it works: steps

• In the later study years, still students are taught basic knowledge in classes.

• But complete their learning experience by doing practical projects for companies, eg.:- customer satisfaction research- marketing plan- improvement of logistics- product cost calculation

• The graduation thesis can be a company assignment or own business plan

Opportunities/Risks

Opportunities:• Students have more freedom to choose

their own study path and specialization by selecting practical projects

• Prepares students for starting their own business

• The best teaching method for students who prefer “learning-by-doing” (Accommodating learning style according to David A. Kolb)

Opportunities/Risks

Challenges:• Lecturers must have good coaching

capacities, otherwise it becomes a mess• Students are working on real projects, so

companies expect real result…• Students and universities have to deal

with confidential information…• Functioning of this model requires mutual

trust between university, student and company

Overview

Student

Basic knowledge aquired during classes

Practical knowledge aquisition, becoming more and more complex

Graduation

Practical examples

Student

Graduation atBusiness Development team

Dutch-Russian Autumn Business School

• Other example of action based learning:• From 30 September to 4 October, the 1st

Dutch-Russian Autumn Business School took place at Herzen State Pedagogical University.

• Practical based study program, students were doing research for the Dutch company Matel Metaal that would like to be active on the Russian Market.

The Autumn school was organized in collaboration with:- Herzen University + Saxion University of applied Sciences- Dutch & Russian ministries of Foreign affairs, within the framework of the bilateral year- Russian Federation of women with higher education- World Trade Center Twente- Matel Metaal company

More information at: http://schoolmanag.herzen.spb.ru

Dutch-Russian Autumn Business School

More information

In case you would like to know more detailed information, please don’t hesitate to send me a message:

Jacques BazenLecturer/researcher Entrepreneurship & Regional Economic DevelopmentM.H. Tromplaan 287513 AB Enschede, tel. +31534871488e-mail: j.c.bazen@saxion.nl

Thank you for your attention!