Self-design project based learning: An alternative learning model for vocational education

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to obtain a self-design project based learning model as an alternative model to improve students skills. The design-based research and descriptive analytic was implemented using interview, Focus Group Discussion (FGD), observation and document analysis. An interview was implemented to explore the basic orientation regarding product design, FGD was utilized to obtain the characteristics of the learning model that adopted the project-based learning (PBL) and work-based learning (WBL) involving expert participants from industry practitioners, vocational school teachers (mechanical engineering) and representative from professional certification bodies. An observation was to evaluate the competency standard involved the industry partner, and document analysis was to finalize the suitability of competencies that meet the standard. The result; this study suggests an integrative composition of materials that may applicable to guide and improve students’ learning; comprises of teaching and learning guidance in the integrative composition materials that might be able to make learning industrial nuance. The concept of vocational education is expected to produce competence graduates who meet the demand from industry. An application of this model provides an opportunity for students to gain experience as an industrial workers, as well as to grasp the actual competencies needed in the workplace.