Seven-step problem-based learning in an interaction design course

The objective in this paper is the implementation of the highly structured seven-step PBL procedure as part of the learning process in a human-computer interaction design course at the Technical University of Denmark, taking into account the common learning processes in PBL and the interaction design process.

These two processes share many characteristics, and the most prominent are: How to explore, analyze and define the problem space, the importance of team-work and -development and finally creativity to design and find a solution. We have experimented with additional short mandatory individual reports after each case in the PBL-process in order to explore the students’ inter- and intra-personal team skills development in the learning process.

Different qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods have been used to obtain a thorough evaluation of PBL used as a learning method among others in a single course. The evaluation results showed that the students definitely took a deep approach to learning, and indicated clearly that the students had obtained competences not only within the traditional HCI curriculum but also in terms of team-work skills.