PBL: Rethinking Motivation for 21st Century Learners

Over the last three years at Sabanci University I and a colleague have run a Project Based Learning course as a part of our language preparation programme. This has been a groundbreaking course for the School of Languages in... [ view full abstract ]

Over the last three years at Sabanci University I and a colleague have run a Project Based Learning course as a part of our language preparation programme. This has been a groundbreaking course for the School of Languages in the shift in thinking it has required of us as course designers and teachers and for the students who have experienced a more autonomous and authentic learning environment. The talk will cover the rationale for the creation of this strand of our curriculum, which arose out of a need to increase motivation amongst our learners and instructors and also a desire to shift focus from an increasingly prescriptive and standardised approach in many areas. Attention will be given to the theoretical basis for PBL and its significance to language learning and the hard and soft skills that our learners need in their faculties as 21st century learners. The final stage of the presentation will focus on the curriculum as we have trialled it, the benefits we believe it has brought to our learners as they enter undergraduate programmes and also the modifications we have made based on feedback.

At Sabancı University we have trialled a Project Based Learning course in our language preparation programme. Derived from a need to motivate and engage with our learners more effectively, and focussed on Complexity,... [ view full abstract ]

At Sabancı University we have trialled a Project Based Learning course in our language preparation programme. Derived from a need to motivate and engage with our learners more effectively, and focussed on Complexity, Creative Thinking and Cooperation, this PBL course has greatly enhanced their learning experience and language skills.