Problem Based Learning at Aalborg University           

Twenty years ago, Aalborg University’s project-organized studies were introduced. The experience since then has proved this to be an important innovation in higher education. The curriculum in engineering is project-organized from the day the freshmen arrive until their graduation.

The engineering education at Aalborg University is structured as shown in figure 1. The first year is common for all engineering programmes, and after that the students choose their field of engineering, with additional possibilities for specialization later on.  The teaching at Aalborg University (AAU) is based on research, which implies that lecturers' current research ensures that students are continuously provided with the latest up-to-date knowledge.

The Project

Aalborg University focuses on project work. A project is a major assignment within a given subject-related framework or theme determined for each individual semester of the educational sequence. For most of the semesters a project subject is chosen which has to be approved by a supervisor.

The initial phase of the project work is the formulation of the problem statement. The purpose is to find an explanation for an often complex problem, for which it is subsequently difficult to obtain an overview and understanding.

Problem statement

In the process of finding a problem statement through courses, literature, co-operation with companies and relevant persons, students will acquire an understanding of the subject which is often more comprehensive than first-hand reading and understanding would imply.
The results of the project work are described in a report, which forms the basis of the evaluation at the end of the semester. Apart from the real academic benefits, this study format encourages the development of very special qualifications, which future employers of the university's graduates highly appreciate: co-operating and negotiating skills, practice in problem management, description, and solution, together with practice in oral and written expression.

Group work

In connection with the project work many students work part of the time in groups having their own workrooms. Through the co-operation and distribution of work, the group is able to tackle major problems more complex than the individual student can usually handle alone.

The common work hours for group and project work are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily as it is the case for the ordinary workday in Denmark. However, often the group work requires homework as well so the study format of Aalborg University is both challenging and efficient but also quite demanding.
 

Experiences show that group discussions reap significant academic benefits. In addition, experiences show that discussions with other students are more relaxed and open than those with supervisors. Students discover very quickly that if they cannot argue for their viewpoints they cannot implement them in their project. The ability to debate with clout and on the basis of arguments is a prerequisite for group influence.

A supervisor, who is also a lecturer in the study course, directs all project groups. The supervisor helps the group to get started, continuously evaluates the group's work and steps in if the group needs assistance. Besides, the supervisor ensures that the project complies with the academic requirements for the education.

Course of Study

A course of study covers an investigation and an examination of a subject area - for instance a topic, a number of methods or a sequence of problems presented by a supervisor. The format may be lectures - especially for large groups – but only when feasible students are involved in the education, for instance in the form of seminars based on written or oral student presentations.

The purpose of such courses is to give an overview and to broaden students' knowledge and understanding of elements beyond project work and to go into depth in terms of prerequisites and background for specific methods in certain subject areas.
 

Some courses are directly relevant to the subject of the project work and evaluated through the project. Other courses are characterized by contents, which secure an overall academic knowledge of the study chosen. Such courses may be evaluated in groups, but often they will be evaluated through individual written or oral examinations. These courses usually demand significant work outside the classroom.
 

Evaluation

The result of the work must, of course, be evaluated. AAU uses both internal and external evaluations. Internal evaluations use the university's own lecturers as examiners. External evaluations use external examiners from other universities and from trade and industry. Some evaluations use a 13-point marking scale whereas others are on a pass/fail basis. The evaluation finds its starting point in the report.

Summary

If there are any drawbacks to such an approach, AAU can only maintain that after many years' successive adjustments of the educational system, all of the growing pains have been overcome.
 

Since group work is an academic and social process among people with different interests, ambitions, strengths, and weaknesses, problems and conflicts may of course arise in the establishment of groups, choice of subjects, and in the daily group work.
 

The group work may be characterized by academic disagreements or different perceptions of meeting and work discipline. If a group member for instance does not want to be a responsible member, such an issue must immediately be addressed, both with regard to the group and to the group member who may try to take a free ride. Such conflicts are uncomfortable and time-consuming, but if they are solved - which they usually are - the group members will have been enriched by the experience. Such experiences can be used later in their education and especially in their future jobs. However, if the group members cannot solve their personal conflicts themselves nor can their supervisor, the group must immediately be dissolved.

Another drawback can be that students themselves sometimes place a great deal of work pressure on one another and consequently contribute to creating a "social crisis" in the group. However, Aalborg University offers students a safety valve enabling them to work totally or partially on their own.