Central University of Technology

0 Number of engineering students learning in PBL: 30

Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa

Prof

How would you describe your PBL?

Students are presented with specific parameters of a digital communication system. By means of calculations and analysis, they are required to determine the successful operation and effectiveness of various sections of the system.

What is most important to your PBL?

Process

How is PBL implemented?

PBL is used in elective courses in the BTech degree

How do students acquire principles of discipline?

Disciplinary knowledge is acquired through classroom presentations, practical assignments, online reflections, online PDF notes which they need to review and collaborative activities.

How is student learning facilitated within PBL?

Facilitators provide students with the criteria and relevant equations which they need to use to determine if a given system will work on not. Based on their findings, recommendations are made with regard to the given criteria. The facilitator interacts with each student in this process, providing guidance where necessary.

Program Overview

Institution Type:

Public

Degree Type:

ISCED 4: Post-secondary non-tertiary education

Program Length:

Two Years

Semesters in which PBL is Used:

Semester 1 and 2

Hours per week on Project:

1-5

PBL Overview

Problem structure:

Moderately structured

Formulation of problems:

Problems are formulated based on the facilitators experience in Industry

Team composition selection:

Student choice

Projects assigned by:

How is space dedicated to student teams for problem/project completion?

Space available, but not dedicated nor reservable

Degree of Interdisciplinarity:

Medium

Role of instructor:

Expert

Unique Features

Assessment Methods

Written Exams

Oral Exams

How assessment is implemented :

Individual assessment only

Publications

Swart, A. J. (2014). Using problem-based learning to stimulate entrepreneurial awareness among senior African undergraduate students. EJMSTE, Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 10(2), 125-134.

Swart, A. J., & Toolo, L. E. (2015). Fundamental problem-solving skills are found across the board in education: Are our power engineering students on-board? Paper presented at the ICEE 2015, Zagreb, Croatia.