IISES International Academic Conference, London

PROJECT BASED LEARNING STRENGTHEN THE CONFIDENCE IN OWN CAPABILITIES

CLAUDIA VAN DER VORST

Abstract:

The last three years have been very special for everyone, but the Western World in particular has come from a reasonably stable structure unprepared into an unpredictable situation. Central Europe especially has been in constant economic growth since World War II and the German Reunification. Therefore, this paper will focus primarily on the young people in this living space, which are experiencing great instability due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war. This study focuses on school leavers who graduated in 2021/2022 during the pandemic. Through the evaluation of case studies and accompanying questionnaires, it will be shown how learning methods could be adapted to address social peculiarities and to pick up the Covid-Generation. Characteristics of this generation, so called Generation-Z are challenged and specifically for the identified sub-group additional evaluations are required. Reviewing the studies of the impact of the pandemic, specific support and awareness is needed to prepare them for their next step starting a job, an apprenticeship or a field of study. Clear reflection of the gained strength and weaknesses helps to evaluate the learning and social capabilities and prepare them for lifelong learning (cf. Andresen et al., 2022, p.11ff). The question is rising; ‘How to enable current students with expertise and related self-confidence?’ Reflecting the changes after the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact and the challenges in a digital, fast rising business environment. Focusing on the students finishing high school during the pandemic, struggling with self-confidence unable to finalise something or starting something new. Especially when it comes to choosing a career and further education, many are disoriented. The paper aims to provide a clear view, that current educational institutions have to adapt much faster to support young people desperately seeking for orientation. It will provide some examples what Education 4.0 could look like. Questionnaires have been executed at two case studies as qualitative research methods and some trends have been analysed taking the feedback and literature research. Taking the very positive development of digitalisation in education, many possibilities on online, blended or hybrid learning into a reflection of requirements of the business world which had to change in parallel. In addition, students which desperately wanted to be back in the classroom challenged the setting there to fill social gaps from the previous years. Projects and case studies been very successful to increase confidence in student capabilities.

Keywords: Life-long Learning, Higher Education, Education 4.0, Covid-19, Learning Methods, Project Based Learning, Self-paced Learning