Complete Integration of Team Project-based Learning into a Database Syllabus

TL;DR

This paper discusses the integration of team project-based learning into a database course, highlighting its implementation, evaluation, and positive educational outcomes over four years.

Contribution

It presents a comprehensive approach to embedding TPBL into a database syllabus, including development, assessment, and analysis of its effectiveness.

Findings

Positive student outcomes observed over four years

Effective teamwork and skill development reported

Improved final grades and student opinions

Abstract

Team project-based learning (TPBL) combines two learning techniques: project-based learning (PBL) and teamwork. This combination leverages the learning outcomes of both methods and places students in a real work situation where they must develop and solve a real project while working as a team. TPBL has been used in two advanced database subjects in Jaume I University (UJI)'s Computer Science degree program. This learning method was used for four years (academic years from 2018/19 to 2021/2022) with positive outcomes. This study presents the project development, which includes teamwork formation, activities, timetable, and exercised learning competencies (both soft and specific). Further, the project's results were evaluated from three different perspectives: a) teamwork evaluation by teammates, b) Students' opinions on the subject and project, and c) subject final grades.