Abstract:

Problem Based Learning Plus (PBL+) is a combined methodology specially designed for the practical activity of engineering students, including chemical, environmental and agricultural engineers and also biotechnologists specializing in production processes. PBL+ combines the classic PBL with four other teaching-learning methodologies, namely the flipped classroom; the use of rubrics for activity evaluation; collaborative learning and in some cases, service-learning. The two identity aspects of PBL+ are: i) that students are free to choose the problem they will be working on, thus increasing motivation; ii) the problem must face a real situation confronted by the company. Therefore, students get in touch with a company they have a close relationship with, allowing the selection of the subject topics and get in contact with a company representative to decide on the case to be solved in a face-to-face meeting. Up to now, the solutions proposed by the students had been presented to the company representative person, the teacher, and their classmates, using the classical methodology of slides, in which the company representative sometimes connects online in order to save time; after the speech, a debate is established between the parts involved. However, the new technologies open the gate to new and more efficient procedures for disseminating the results obtained to improve the competencies achieved by students and make the solutions more beneficial for the company and even to other stakeholders.

The new technologies allow the production of information pills in video format or the use of social networks. These technologies involve several advantages but concomitantly also bring some drawbacks and risks. For example, using social networks can expose companies' problems. Care should be taken, so their privacy must be duly guaranteed, avoiding any reference to the company's name, and even protecting their location. However, depending on the engineering sector, the situation changes, and this must be evaluated before making decisions on disseminating results. In this work, we present a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis of the different options to maximize the beneficial impacts of PBL+ for students and companies. The last one is evaluated by an interview with the company representatives.

Keywords:

Problem Based Learning Plus, STEM, engineering, practical competences.