TEACHING AND LEARNING METHODOLOGIES APPLIED TO A POSTGRADUATE EUROPEAN MASTER DEGREE IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGEMENT

The European Union, through the Leonardo da Vinci programme, funds activities related to education and recognition of professional qualifications. Several European universities and professional associations participate in the project entitled “MBA in Construction - Postgraduate European Common Studies in Construction Project Management”. The goal of this project is to create common postgraduate studies (at the Master of Science level) among several European universities (Warsaw University of Technology, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Technical University of Valencia, Poznan University of Technology, and the University of Minho) that could be accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building. This degree aims to acquire and refresh knowledge on various topics of managing construction projects, therefore enabling course participants to master their work and deepen their knowledge on those topics. The programme also aims to entice participants valorise their own experiences by creating communities of practice and networks. The course structure is modular, meaning that modules can be used independently of each other. Accordingly, tutors from any partner country can possibly plan the course sequence as required. Tutors will be also able to choose different types of learning approaches (from face to face to blended learning). Training modules will be made available on a common platform (Moodle). The proposed teaching and learning methodology is based on the following adult learning principles: learning is self-directed; it fills an immediate need and is highly participatory; learning is experiential (i.e., participants and the trainer learn from each other’s); time is allowed for reflection and corrective feedback; a mutually respectful environment is created between trainer/tutor and participants; a comfortable environment is provided. Training techniques used in this programme include presentations, case study scenarios, simulations, and small group discussions, among others.