A mixed project-based learning framework: preparing and developing student competencies in a French Grande Ecole

Figures & data

Table 1. Main competency domains developed.

Transverse competencies	Interpersonal communication (group work, creativity)
	Learning to learn
	Oral communication (presentations, meetings)
	Written communication (technical reports, argumentation techniques)
	Project management
Scientific/technical competencies	Designing (plan, write specifications)
	Modelling (applying theoretical knowledge and methodologies)
	Developing
	Testing, assessing and validating solutions
	Interdisciplinary approach

Table 2. Projects summary.

S1 Project: ‘Introduction to complex systems’
Situation	Creation of a technical/economic report
Main transversal learning elements	Group work
	Oral communication
Transversal abilities	To collect and to select information in a relevant way
	To present the group's work orally, using suitable tools
	To learn by using the project as a mainspring of knowledge acquisition
	To learn with the help of the group
Technical abilities	To explain the benefits and the links between the various disciplines
	comprising a telecommunication system
S2 Project: ‘Start up’
Situation	Creation of a report for decision-makers
Transversal abilities	Oral/written communication using argumentation techniques
Main transversal learning elements	To apply brainstorming and creativity techniques
	To convince, using well-argued elements
	To communicate, to spread and to archive their results
	To organize the group in a non-directive way
	To identify the tasks and to distribute them among the group of students
Technical abilities	To identify technological potentialities and their limits in terms of
	acceptability, feasibility, cost and usefulness
	To integrate economic and social constraints
S3 Project: ‘Development’
Situation	Technical development in a research discipline of our institution
Main transversal learning elements	Written communication (technical report)
Transversal abilities	To reformulate the problem clearly in their own words
	To write a quality technical report collaboratively
	To supply a product efficiently and in time
Technical abilities	To design and to develop a technical solution in the domains of the
	scientific disciplines studied
	To test, to assess and to validate solution elements
	To apply a methodology appropriate to the project
S4 Project: ‘Engineering’
Situation	Technical realization ending with a presentation at the project forum
Main transversal learning elements	Project management
Transversal abilities	To apply project management methods in order to supply a product with
	respect to cost, quality and time constraints
	To produce several kinds of oral and written deliverables for the project
	To conduct a meeting
	To trade with a customer
Technical abilities	To combine and apply knowledge, methodologies, and practices previously
	learned
	To learn new technology

Figure 1 Position of the projects in the ‘V’ life cycle model.