Towards a successful integration of project-based learning in higher education: Challenges, technologies and methods of implementation

Abstract

Project-based learning (PBL) is a learner-centered teaching method that seeks to enable students to develop themselves and their knowledge through means relevant to their lives. The structural principles of the method reflect contemporary knowledge regarding the importance of autonomy, activity, and collaboration in learning, and harmonize well with the information age and its technologies. Despite these, however, project-based learning implementation in higher education has been slow and accompanied by difficulties. In this paper, I review the main features of project-based learning, the advantages it offers to higher education, and the main challenges that its successful implementation faces. On the basis of a synthesis between theoretical and practical knowledge, I present and demonstrate ways for integrating the project-based learning principles with available information and communications technologies, and offer implementation guidelines for lecturers and institutions of higher education.