Abstract:

The main goal of this research was to create a specific teaching-learning context in three higher education courses – Bachelor in Marketing, Master in Marketing and Master in Competitiveness and Business Development, offered at the University of Aveiro. The research integrated PBL methodologies and authentic learning, using Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Circular Lab methodology, studying real companies from different industries and promoting the positive impact of these companies. A total of 160 students, three teachers and three different curricular units (1st year of bachelor and 1st year of master) were involved in this project, which took place in the 2nd semester of the year 2022/2023.

Students were challenged to include in their works a proposal of actions that had positive impact and to reflect and measure the potential impact of these actions. Different approaches were used by the three teachers involved. In the Master in Marketing, the project was implemented with two student groups, one involved in the context of a multidisciplinary group work, involving five different curricular units of the master, while the other was group of students only had one curricular unit, all working with the SDGs framework. In the Bachelor in Marketing, two groups of students applied SDGs in class exercises. In the Master in Competitiveness and Business Development, students used a specific tool called Circular Lab and used it to improve business models of their own companies.

From an operational perspective, students developed different activities, according to the syllabus of each curricular unit. The main goal was to provide immersive learning experiences where students could combine authentic learning and sustainability analysis, which was successfully achieved and allowed, among others, to develop specific soft skills, as well.

Keywords:

Authentic Learning, Pedagogical Innovation Project, PBL Methodologies, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Circular Lab.