Fundamental Requirements on PBL Classes for Better Education

Abstract

Project-Based Learning (PBL) education has become popular in the US and its educational effects have been recognized in many case studies. PBL also attracts attention of the educators in Japan, and several achievements have also been reported. However, because of its short history and its different backgrounds on the corporate sponsorship to academic institutions, implementation of PBL in engineering education has not so much been achieved well and its educational effects have not been recognized enough. This paper picks up one of the best examples of PBL class with robotic project at MIT in the US, and reviews the key factors why the class works so successfully. Comparing the review results with the experiences in the engineering class of CAD-EX at the University of Tokushima, this paper discusses the basic requirements on PBL, emphasizing the importance of strenuous efforts to encourage students towards motivated attitudes, creative learning and active participation in the class under the healthy and friendly competitive atmosphere.