How to Cite
Abstract
In this article, we presented our findings regarding an online project-based learning course, delivered to 64 students from the Federal University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the second semester of 2021. The course had the goal of teaching Project Management by means of a competition (the Data Science Olympics). Our goal was to investigate the systemic impacts of the competition on learning. Data was collected by means of a questionnaire and from comments posted on the teams’ websites. We followed a convergent parallel mixed methods approach. We analyzed the data using a causal loop diagram to connect the insights gained with quantitative and qualitative results. Our findings were as follows: 1)The use of competition in a project-based learning centered course helped the students to develop project management and data science skills, and fostered metacognition and knowledge sharing opportunities. 2)The Data Science Olympics increased the students’ intrinsic motivation to learn. 3)The project-based teaching practices (scaffolding the students’ learning, giving meaningful feedback to the students, and managing the activities) facilitated the students' learning. 4)The problems the students faced throughout the Project (dropouts, communication problems, lack of commitment, difficulty scheduling online team meetings) impacted negatively on the students' motivation.
References
Aksela, M., & Haatainen, O. (2019). Project-based learning (PBL) in practise: Active teachers' views of its' advantages and challenges. In Integrated Education for the Real World: 5th International STEM in Education Conference Post-Conference Proceedings. HELDA.
Arantes do Amaral, J. A. (2019). Combining community-based learning and project-based learning: A qualitative systemic analysis of the experiences and perceptions of students and community partners. Partnerships: A Journal of Service-Learning and Civic Engagement, 10(1), 129-145.
Arantes do Amaral, J. A. (2020). The Problems that Impact the Quality of Project Management Courses Developed Following a Project-Based Learning Approach with the Support of Community Partners. Journal of Problem Based Learning in Higher Education, 8(2), 106-114. https://doi.org/10.5278/ojs.jpblhe.v8i2.3173
Arantes do Amaral, J. A. (2021). Using project-based learning to teach project-based learning: lessons learned. Pro-posições, 32, 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-6248-2018-0135en
Arantes do Amaral, J. A., & Fregni, F. (2021). Applying Neuroscience Concepts to Enhance Learning in an Online Project-Based Learning Centered Course. Journal of Problem Based Learning in Higher Education, 9(2), 142-159. https://doi.org/10.5278/ojs.jpblhe.v9i2.5892
Arantes do Amaral, J. A., & Fregni, F. (2021). Fostering System Thinking Learning by Combining Problem-Based Learning and Simulation-Based Learning Approaches. International Journal of Instruction, 14(3), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2021.1431a
Arantes do Amaral, J. A., & Fregni, F. (2022). The Impacts of Stress, Project-Based Learning Activities and Motivation on Students' Learning. Journal of Applied Structural Equation Modeling, 6(2), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.47263//JASEM.6(2)04
Arshavskiy, M. (2013). Instructional Design for ELearning: Essential Guide to Creating Successful ELearning Courses. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.
Bender, W. N. (2012). Project-Based Learning: Differentiating Instruction for the 21st Century. SAGE Publications.
Branch, R. M. (2009). Instructional Design: The ADDIE Approach (C. Dellacherie, P. A. Meyer, & M. Weil, Eds.). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-09506-6
Cable, J., & Cheung, C. (2017). Eight Principles of Effective Online Teaching: A Decade-Long Lessons Learned in Project Management Education. PM World Journal, 6(7).
Creswell, J. D., & Creswell, J. W. (2018). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. SAGE Publications.
Filatro, A. (2008). Design instrucional na prática. Pearson Education do Brasil.
Fregni, F. (2019). Critical Thinking in Teaching and Learning: The Nonintuitive New Science of Effective Learning. Independently Published.
Issa, G., Hussain, S. M., & Al-Bahadili, H. (2014). Competition-based learning: A model for the integration of competitions with project-based learning using open source LMS. International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Education (IJICTE), 10(1), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.4018/ijicte.2014010101
Krauss, J., & Boss, S. (2007). Reinventing Project-based Learning: Your Field Guide to Real-world Projects in the Digital Age. International Society for Technology in Education.
Krithivasan, S., Shandilya, S., Lala, K., & Arya, K. (2014). Massive Project Based Learning through a Competition: Impact of and Insights from the e-Yantra Robotics Competition (eYRC--2013). In 014 IEEE Sixth International Conference on Technology for Education (pp. 156-163). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/T4E.2014.13
Lam, S. F., Cheng, R. W. Y., & Ma, W. Y. (2009). Teacher and student intrinsic motivation in project-based learning. Instructional Science, 37, 565-578. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11251-008-9070-9
Larmer, J. (2010). Seven essentials for project-based learning. Educational leadership, 68(1), 34-37.
Larmer, J., & Boss, S. (2018). Project Based Teaching: How to Create Rigorous and Engaging Learning Experiences. ASCD.
Larmer, J., & Boss, S. (2018). Project Based Teaching: How to Create Rigorous and Engaging Learning Experiences. ASCD.
Larmer, J., Mergendoller, J. R., & Boss, S. (2015). Setting the Standard for Project Based Learning: A Proven Approach to Rigorous Classroom Instruction. ASCD.
Lu, Q. (2021). A New Project-Based Learning in English Writing. International journal of emerging technologies in learning, 15(5), 214-227. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v16i05.21271
Markham, T., Ravitz, J. L., & Larmer, J. (2003). Project based learning handbook: a guide to standards-focused project based learning for middle and high school teachers. Buck Institute for Education.
McConnell, S. (1996). Rapid development. Microsoft Press.
Moallem, M., & Webb, A. (2016). Feedback and feed-forward for promoting problem-based learning in online learning environments. Malaysian Journal of Learning and Instruction, 13(2), 1-41. https://doi.org/10.32890/mjli2016.13.2.1
Moreira, F., Mesquita, D., & Hattum-Janssen, N. V. (2011). The importance of the project theme in Project-Based Learning: a study of student and teacher perceptions.
Nistor, N., & Neubauer, K. (2010). From participation to dropout: Quantitative participation patterns in online university courses. Computers & Education, 55(2), 663-672. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2010.02.026
Ocak, M. A., & Uluyol, Ç. (2010). Investigation of students’ intrinsic motivation in project based learning. Journal of Human Sciences, 7(1), 1152-1169.
Project Management Institute. (2018). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (Pmbok(r) Guide) (Project Management Institute, Ed.). Project Management Institute.
Sahin, A. (2015). STEM students on the stage (SOS): Promoting student voice and choice in STEM education through an interdisciplinary, standards-focused project based learning approach. Journal of STEM Education, 16(3), 24-33.
Shibley, I., Amaral, K. E., Shank, J. D., & Shibley, L. R. (2011). Designing a blended course: Using ADDIE to guide instructional design. Journal of College Science Teaching, 40(6), 80-85.
Willard, K., & Duffrin, M. W. (2003). Utilizing Project-Based Learning and Competition to Develop Student Skills and Interest in Producing Quality Food Items. Journal of food science education, 2(4), 69-73. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1541-4329.2003.tb00031.x
Yin, R. K. (2015). Qualitative Research from Start to Finish, Second Edition. Guilford Publications.
Articles published in Journal of Problem Based Learning in Higher Education are following the license Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC-BY)
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC-BY). Further information about Creative Commons