Project-based learning emphasizing open resources and student ideation: How to raise student awareness of IPR?

Abstract

This article examines a project-based course that is based on the use of open resources, where students ideate and implement Open Data applications in small groups during an intensive 12-week period. The course emphasizes students’ abilities to innovate and necessitates the adoption of technologies that are typically new to the students. The course is offered at the bachelor’s level after highly structured first university courses, which means that the students face a great challenge with regards to adopting self-directed and self-regulated way of working. The main research focus of the article is on how to emphasize Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) as a learning objective. In the project education literature, IPRs are typically discussed in conjunction with courses where students collaborate with external customers. We argue that the present Open Data context together with creative group work also require a proper emphasis on IPR questions. A project agreement template and educational activities are designed and proposed to be used in student-ideated projects to properly raise student awareness of IPRs.