Empowering computing students through multidisciplinary project-based learning

Teesside University research highlights how project-based learning bridges the gap between theory and industry, equipping students with future-ready skills.

Challenge

In today's fast-evolving world, multidisciplinary education is essential for equipping students with "Future Ready" competencies, including critical thinking, adaptability, global citizenship, and effective communication. Traditional education often struggles to keep pace with industry advancements, resulting in a disconnect between theoretical instruction and practical skill application. This misalignment can leave graduates underprepared, limiting their ability to contribute effectively in their careers.

To address this challenge, educational institutions must integrate innovative strategies that bridge theory and practice. By aligning curricula with industry developments and incorporating real-world applications into learning, students not only gain knowledge but also the hands-on experience necessary for success in today’s competitive job market.

Solution

This study explored the impact of real-world project-based learning (PBL) in bridging the gap between academic instruction and practical industry requirements. A mixed-methods approach was employed, incorporating the ‘Instructional Materials Motivation Survey’ (IMMS) and the Kirkpatrick model to evaluate PBL’s effectiveness in enhancing key competencies such as problem-solving, time management, confidence, and practical application.

Students participated in multidisciplinary projects over a 12-week semester, with projects tailored to their individual skills and opportunities. Examples included:

• developing facial recognition systems for attendance monitoring
• analysing back shape asymmetry in patients with back pain
• creating chatbots to train healthcare students.

Participants were selected based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria to ensure the relevance and reliability of data collected. The findings from this research contribute to the development of educational strategies that prepare students for the complexities of the modern workforce.

Impact

The study demonstrated that real-world PBL significantly enhances students’ ability to address industry challenges effectively. By bridging academic learning with real-world industry demands, PBL strengthens advanced problem-solving skills and fosters the development of practical, actionable solutions that can be applied in professional settings.

The multidisciplinary nature of PBL supports a comprehensive educational experience, enabling students to develop a diverse set of competencies, including adaptability, ethical leadership, and digital literacy, all skills that are highly valuable across various sectors. Furthermore, students’ ability to navigate real-world challenges independently, including time management and project execution, highlights the development of adaptability which is an essential skill for the future workforce.