Title: Project-based learning course design: a service design approach

Authors: Rui M. Lima; João Mello Da Silva; Natascha Van Hattum-Janssen; Simone Borges Simão Monteiro; João Carlos Félix De Souza

Addresses: Department of Production and Systems, School of Engineering, University of Minho, Campus of Azurém, 4800-058, Guimarães, Portugal. ' Production Engineering, Faculty of Technology, University of Brasília, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, CEP 70910-900, Brasília, Brazil. ' Research Centre for Education, University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal. ' Production Engineering, Faculty of Technology, University of Brasília, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, CEP 70910-900, Brasília, Brazil. ' Production Engineering, Faculty of Technology, University of Brasília, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, CEP 70910-900, Brasília, Brazil

Abstract: Engineering education is becoming increasingly focused on developing competences, creating meaningful learning experiences and paying special attention to professional profiles as required by accreditation bodies. Project-based learning (PBL) is one of the approaches that is regarded as an adequate response to the current demands of engineering education. PBL is, by definition, based on interdisciplinary integration, so the design process is based on complex interdisciplinary requirements and interactions demanding systematic and standardised approaches. This work aims to develop a service design framework for the development of a project-based curriculum, which is regarded as a specific interpretation of service design. A service design approach based on structure, process and outcome dimensions is related with a set of methodological dimensions. This framework is connected with curriculum development levels to build a design model for PBL courses. Finally, the model is applied to a PBL curriculum design process in a Production Engineering graduate degree.

Keywords: services; service design; project-based learning; PBL; curriculum development; curriculum design; engineering education; course design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSOM.2012.045660

International Journal of Services and Operations Management, 2012 Vol.11 No.3, pp.292 - 313

Published online: 16 Aug 2014 *

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