PBLMD Work Packages

The objective of WP1 is to launch the project and conduct a workshop introducing the project and PBL teaching and learning methods to MD partners and key stakeholders in Moldova.

To achieve this objective, the Project Management Team and Steering Committee are formed. The project partners participate in the kick-off meeting in Moldova during which the Consortium Agreement is agreed upon and later signed, the work plan for the duration of the project is approved and the first year work plan is fine-tuned, and introductory workshop is delivered.

The following key activities are designed:

•         Working meeting of the project management team
•         Kick-off meeting
•         Preparatory mission of the EU team
•         Introductory workshop

 The following deliverables are produced:

•             Fine-tuned 1st year work plan (WP8)
•             Detailed 3 year plan (WP8)
•             Consortium Agreement
•             Materials for the introductory workshop
•             Project booklet
•             Skills for short- and long term commitment

 Key progress indicators:

• Extent to which participants increased their knowledge and could use the knowledge in their areas of work
• Number of non-academic organisations represented at the introductory workshops

WP1 deliverables

Project launch

Time/Date: 9:00am-12:00pm, November 19, 2015. Venue: room 205, Technical University of Moldova, Stefan cel Mare 168, Chisinau.

The main purpose of this event is to introduce project partners, students, academic staff, business people, sector NGOs, and other key stakeholders to the PBLMD project, its main objectives and deliverables.

Agenda:  PDF.

Keynote speech:

Romeo V. Turcan, Associate Professor, IBC, AAU: "Introducing Problem Based Learning in Moldova: Toward Enhancing Students’ Competitiveness and Employability"

Press-conference: Introducing New Teaching and Learning Methods at Universities in Moldova

Time/Date: 1:30pm-2:30pm, November 19, 2015. Venue: Infotag News Agency, Mihail Kogalniceanu 76, Chisinau.

Project Coordinator, National Coordinator, as well as the members of the Steering Committee introduce the project and answer questions from the journalists.

Press-release:  PDF.

Open-to-public workshop: From Teacher-Centred Toward Student-Centred Learning

Time/Date: 9:00am-12:00pm, November 20, 2015. Venue: room 205, Technical University of Moldova, Stefan cel Mare 168, Chisinau.

Agenda:  PDF.

Key speakers:

Erik de Graaff, Professor, AAU PBL Academy, AAU: "Shifting the educational paradigm: From Teaching to Learning"

Olav J. Sorensen, Professor, IBC, AAU:  "Problem Based Learning – the way to engage the university in learning and societal development"

Romeo V. Turcan, Associate Professor, IBC, AAU:  "PBL approach to BSc semester project"

Project café exercise:  PDF.

The objective of this WP is to train the management and academic staff from MD partners in PBL methodologies and methods and to disseminate the findings. The former is achieved through training workshops at MD partners and by visiting EU partners.

The EU partners develop training material and travel to Moldova to conduct training workshops at MD partners. One set of workshops targets university management/administration with the aim inter alia to explore the link and fit-for-purpose between PBL and institutional structures. Another set of workshops targets academic staff as well as students to explore PBL methodologies and methods, techniques, challenges and issues.

For the purpose of study visits to EU partners  Study Mission Teams and 6 Study Management Teams are formed. These teams travel to EU partners to learn, evaluate and reflect on these universities’ experience on PBL teaching methodologies, methods, techniques, challenges and issues.

After each study visit or mobility to the EU partner universities, each participant will reflect on his/her experience by writing a three-page learning reflection essay.The following questions guide the writing process:

1. Identify 3 areas each at (a) university/management/faculty/department levels, (b) study programme level, and (c) support structure level that you found most interesting, challenging, motivating or controversial. (9 areas in total)
2. Select one aspect from each area and discuss:

• Why are they interesting, challenging, motivating or controversial?
• How could they be applied/implemented in my study programme and university?
• What are the challenges/issues that could emerge during the process of implementation?

The following key activities are designed:

• Training of MD partners’ management and academic staff
• Preparatory mission of study visits to EU partners
• Draft and finalize research methodology
• Study visits of Management Teams

The following deliverables are produced:

• Research methodology
• Training workshop materials
• Best practice/experience reports (Study Programmes)
• [Best practice/experience reports (Pedagogical Training Programmes)
• [Reports on findings of PBL study programmes benchmarking
• Reports on findings of pedagogical training programmes benchmarking

Key progress indicators:

• Extent to which participants increased their knowledge and could use the knowledge in their areas of work
• Number of institutional changes and new services introduced on the basis of the provided recommendations
• Number of EU best practices cases/findings identified and described
   

Study program deliverables

Benchmark reports

Benchmark reports are main deliverables of WP2 prepared by each Study Programme Team. They explore student-centered teaching and learning and study program development at institutional and study program levels by collecting and analyzing data during their study visits to EU project partners, mainly AAU and UoG. The medical team will also analyze PBL model from Plymouth University.

Benchmark Consolidated report

BSc in Entrepreneurhsip and Business Administration report (CSU)

BSc in Business Administration report (AESM)

BSc in Public Administration report (BSU)

BSc in Law report (MSU)

BSc in Information Technology report (TUM)

BSc in Medicine report (SUMPh)

Benchmarking methodology

Training workshops

Workshop: Working with Projects and Cases. Reflection on Personal Skills

The programme aims to familiarize participants with the main characteristics of PBL. The programme consists of a four-day workshop. After satisfactory completion of the programme a Certificate will be issued conforming to the workload of the programme of 2 ECTS points (30 hours in class, 20 hours self-study and preparation).

Programme:  pdf.

Venue: TUM. Period: January 19-22, 2016.

Pictures

Workshop: Design of PBL-based Bachelor Study Programs

The purpose of the workshop is to draft a design of a bachelor degree program (3 years) according to PBL-principles in the context of the Moldavian regulatory and institutional framework.

Programme: pdf

Venue: AAU. Period: February 11, 2016.

Pictures

The objective of this WP is to perform in depth analysis of the identified needs for each study programme chosen by each MD partner and pedagogical training needs. To achieve this objective, Study Programme Development teams and Training Programme Development teams analyse:

• Education/teaching structure/and pedagogical training approaches at MD partners
• Resources and links (business/society) of each study and training programmes
• Content of respective study and training programmes
• Need for creating permanent structures to support students from families with non-academic backgrounds.

There will be staff mobility strand: EU partners travel to Moldova and conduct training of trainers, engage in pilot PBL teaching, and evaluating the progress together with academic staff and students. MD partners travel to EU partners to get greater exposure and hands-on experience in PBL-based methodology.

The following key activities are designed:

• Conduct in-depth analysis of the selected study programmes and pedagogical training programmes
• Engage local businesses and students in pilot study programme development
• Train university management, academic staff and students
• Refine the needs fit-for-purpose for each identified study-programs (pilot teaching)
• Staff mobility

The following deliverables are produced:

6 Study Programmes Benchmark Studies:

• BSc in Business Administration (Academy of Economic Studies)
• BSc in Business Administration and Entrepreneurship (Cahul State University)
• BSc in Law (Moldova State University)
• BSc in Public Administration (Balti State University)
• BA in Public Health (Medical State University)
• BSc in Software Engineering (Technical University of Moldova)

Pedagogical Trainings Benchmark Studies:

• Pedagogical Training Programme (Academy of Economic Studies)
• Pedagogical Training Programme (Technical University of Moldova)
• Pedagogical Training Programme (Moldova State University)
• Pedagogical Training Programme (Balti State University)
• Pedagogical Training Programme (Cahul State University)
• Pedagogical Training Programme (Medical State University)

Key progress indicators:

• Extent of feedback and comments on selected study programme/curriculum
• Number of interventions and enquiries by Task Force Teams during the process

Study program deliverables

Visit of the Consolidating team to SIEGEN

The Consolidating team traveled to SIEGEN to work on consolidating WP3 Study Programme and WP3 Pedagogical Training Programme. The agenda of the visit can be found here.

Study Programme Consolidated Report

Study Programme Benchmarking Studies

BSc in Business Administration (Academy of Economic Studies)

BSc in Business Administration and Entrepreneurship (Cahul State University)

BSc in Law (Moldova State University)

BSc in Public Administration (Balti State University)

BA in Public Health (Medical State University)

BSc in Software Engineering (Technical University of Moldova)

WP3 Development Week

The aim of the Development Week is to work within the Study Program Teams for preparing the preliminary presentations of the benchmarking findings. EU Partner Teams and MD Teams will work together at each university premises on WP3. The activities will last for three days from Tuesday to Thursday. Study Program Teams will present their preliminary drafts on need for change at sector, university, study program levels, need for content change, roadmaps etc.

Venue: MD partners

Period: May 22-28, 2016

Agenda: pdf

Presentations: pdf

Pictures: facebook

The objective of this WP is to develop (1) PBL based study programmes and respective PBL based curricula and (2) Pedagogical Training Programmes. The respective teams: Study Programme Development teams and Training Programme Development teams, together with EU partners will work jointly on developing these programmes, incl., respective curricula.

SPD and TPD teams travel to EU partners to work closely on the design of PBL based study programmes and curricula. PBL-based study programmes and curricula are presented to key stakeholders, including the management of MD partners for the purpose of their institutionalization at each MD partner, i.e., formal approval by university authorities, providing necessary facilities to start the enrolment and teaching.

The following key activities are designed:

• Development of new curricula and course materials
• Expert visits to Programme Country partners
• Institutionalizing newly developed study curricula

The following deliverables are produced:

6 PBL based Study Programmes and respective PBL-based curricula:

• BSc in Business Administration (Academy of Economic Studies)
• BSc in Business Administration and Entrepreneurship (Cahul State University)
• BSc in Law (Moldova State University)
• BSc in Public Administration (Balti State University)
• BA in Public Health (Medical State University)
• BSc in Software Engineering (Technical University of Moldova)

Key progress indicators:

• Scope of the proposed changes in the study programmes and methodology
• Number of revised courses at the selected study programmes
• Number of revised procedures in the administration and management practices
• Number of addressed issues related to disadvantaged students integrated in the developed methodology and adapted to the new university practices

The objective of this WP is to ensure each newly developed PBL based study programme is effectively and efficiently conveyed to respective target audience and implemented. A number of means will be employed for this purpose: PBL teaching at newly developed and institutionalized PBL-based study programmes, learning reflections, and evaluations by staff and students, continuous training of trainers, and student mobility.

In semester 1 (2017), EU partners travel to Moldova and engage in co-teaching together with local staff that was trained in PBL teaching. In semester 2, the students continue the studies, focusing inter alia on semester projects, and cooperating with own counterparts from EU-partners. In semester 3 and 4 there will be student mobility strand.

The following key activities are designed:

• Announce admissions to newly-developed PBL-based study programmes
• Start PBL-based teaching and semester projects within 7 disciplines
• Evaluate teaching and lecturers (by the students)
• Develop activities within sustainability strategy
• Student mobility

The following deliverables are produced:

Study programmes

• Semester 1 and 2 learning outcomes, student projects, exams
• Semester 3 and 4 student mobility, learning outcomes, student projects, exams
• 6 Sustainability Strategies, incl. 6 road maps

Training programmes

• Sustainability Strategy, incl. 6 road maps
• Permanent support structures

Key progress indicators:

• Number of the primary and secondary target groups represented in the cohorts of recruited students
• Number of non-academic organisations represented at the consultation and development events
• Number of issues related the disadvantaged students integrated in the teaching and learning practices and adapted university regulations

Study program deliverables

Implementation: started in September 2017 and can be followed up here.

Student mobility: can be followed here.

Sustainability Strategies:

AESM Sustainability Strategy

BSU Sustainability Strategy

CSU Sustainability Strategy

MSU Sustainability Strategy

SUMPh Sustainability Strategy

TUM Sustainability Strategy

Consolidated report: can be accessed here.

Drafting the strategies (SP and PTP):

Sustainability strategy teams' visit to AAU

Date: January 12-19, 2019. Venue: room 39, Fibigerstræde 11, Aalborg University, DK-9220, Aalborg East.

Agenda: may be accessed here.

List of participants: may be accessed here.

Pictures: may be accessed  here.

Sustainability strategy teams' visit to AAU

Date: May 11-18, 2019. Venue: room 39, Fibigerstræde 11, Aalborg University, DK-9220, Aalborg East.

Agenda: may be accessed here.

List of participants: may be accessed here.

Pictures: may be accessed here.

The objective of this WP is to ensure quality control during the entire duration of the project. The project EU Team will provide the core quality control of the development process, since it will ensure that project results are in line with EU benchmarks and standards providing continuous advice to the Consortium.

There will be internal periodical monitoring and control (peer review), as well as monitoring reporting. External evaluation will be conducted by two external experts, Prof John Reilly and Prof Olle ten Cate.

The following key activities are designed:

• Internal periodical monitoring and control
• Internal evaluation activities
• External evaluation
• Inter- project coaching

The following deliverables are produced:

• Progress monitoring reports
• Final internal evaluation report
• Quality evaluation reports
• Inter project coaching
• Audit report

Key progress indicators:

• Number and scope of the progress monitoring reports
• Extent of adjustments in implementation and management as result of the evaluation and monitoring procedures (number and importance)
• Extent of adjustments in implementation and management as result of the inter project coaching (number and importance)
• External evaluations reports: interim and final
• Number and scope of the contacts within inter-project coaching

WP6 Deliverables

Audit report

To be submitted to the Agency after the completion of the project.

Final evaluation report

Final evaluation report to be submitted to the Agency will be available on  [Opens external link in new window] project Intranet.

EACEA field monitoring, Feb 21, 2019

Agenda available here.

Mid-term evaluation report

Mid-term evaluation report submitted to the Agency, Agency evaluation and the project response are available on  [Opens external link in new window] project Intranet.

EACEA field monitoring, May 29, 2017

Project management presentation

ASEM presentation

BSU presentation

CSU presentation

MSU presentation

MSUMF presentation

[TUM presentation

Agency monitoring reports available via the project Intranet

EACEA field monitoring, December 7, 2016

Quality evaluation reports

Quality evaluation reports available via the project Intranet

Inter project coaching

Andrei Braikov of Tiraspol University (HQ-ed in Chisinau), national coordinator of ERASMUS+ 'e-learning' project, hosted ERASMUS+ 'PBLMD' project. Romeo V. Turcan, PBLMD coordinator presented to the audience PBLMD project, activities to-date, opportunities for cooperation, and shared his experience in using PBL methodology at Aalborg University facebook.

The objective of this WP is to ensure efficient communication and dissemination of the project results. Internal communication tools are established, incl., project website and project booklet. MD partners as well as EU partners engage in communicating the updates on the project to the media, e.g., writing newspaper articles, organizing press conferences, and issuing press releases. A two day international conference on PBL methodologies and teachings is organized, at which all project partners contribute with papers.

Any communication or publication related to the project, as well as information or promotional materials shall indicate that the project has received funding from the European Union and shall display the European Union Emblem.

The following disclaimer shall be added to the inner pages of the publications and studies produced by the project:
"The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsi­ble for any use which may be made of the information contained therein."

The project’s communication and dissemination strategy includes the key activities, deliverables and progress indicators, described below. All the produced outputs and deliverables are uploaded to the website and distributed to the partners and stakeholders via Project’s Facebook page and by email. The key elements of the communication strategy are presented below.

The following key activities are designed:

• Developing project website
• Producing articles
• Organizing press conferences
• Issuing press releases
• Briefings
• Producing executive summaries
• International conference

The following deliverables are produced:

• Internal communication tools
• Project website
• Updates to the media and key stakeholders (see all sub-pages above)
• Dissemination at MD partners and the national level (see all sub-pages above)
• International conference on PBL

Key progress indicators:

• Number of appearances in the media
• Number of universities outside the consortium represented at the events
• Number of feedback inputs on the project Facebook page
• Number of information events organised at MD partners
• Number of dissemination items distributed during dissemination events
• Number of electronic newsletters produced
• Number of enquiries resulted from targeted mailings

The objective of WP8 is to ensure proper management of the project. The Project Coordinator has general management and coordination responsibilities of the project, as well as financial management responsibilities. The National Coordinator is responsible for managing and coordinating the project nationally. There will be organized 4 project coordination meetings.

The following key activities are designed:

• Conducting project coordination meetings
• Conducting project concluding meeting

The following deliverables are produced:

• Administrative management and coordination
• Financial management
• Progress and final reports

Key progress indicators:

• Number of coordination meetings
• Number of participants of the coordination events
• Number and scope of the delays in meeting the deadlines and agreed responsibilities

WP8 Deliverables

Operational documents produced in order to coordinate the implementation of the project

Overall Action Plan xlsx

Tailored action plan and key deadlines for Study Program Teams xlsx

Tailored action plan and key deadlines for Pedagogical Training Program Teams xlsx

Consortium meetings

2019 Sep 30 - Oct 4, Chisinau (agenda, meetings notes available on project Intranet)

2018 Oct 22-26, Chisinau (agenda, meetings notes available on project Intranet)

2017 Oct 23-26, Chisinau (agenda, meetings notes available on project Intranet)

2016 Oct 24-27, Chisinau (agenda, meetings notes available on project Intranet)

2015 Nov 16-19, Chisinau (agenda, meetings notes available on project Intranet)