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Theoretical discussions and results of empirical research on the contextual approach to teaching and learning point to its effectiveness in realising numerous learning outcomes. The theoretical part of the paper presents the theoretical foundations of the contextual teaching and learning approach, with a focus on constructivist learning theory. The empirical part of the paper presents the results of a study on the implementation of the contextual teaching and learning approach in primary school education from the teachers` perspective. The results indicate that teachers apply the principles of the contextual teaching and learning approach relatively rarely in the teaching process.

In this meta-analysis, we examined the effects on students’ motivation of student-centered, problem-driven learning methods compared to teacher-centered/lecture-based learning. Specifically, we considered problem-based (PBL), project-based (PjBL), and case-based learning (CBL). We viewed motivation as a multifaceted construct consisting of students’ beliefs (competence and control beliefs), perceptions of task value (interest and importance), and reasons for engaging in tasks (intrinsic or extrinsic). In addition, we included students’ attitudes toward school subjects (e.g., science). We included 139 subsamples from the 132 included reports (83 PBL, 37 PjBL, and 19 CBL subsamples). Overall, PBL, PjBL, and CBL had a small to moderate, heterogeneous positive effect (d = 0.498) on motivation. Moderator analyses revealed that larger effect sizes were found for students’ beliefs, values, and attitudes compared to students’ reasons for studying. No differences were found between the three instructional methods on motivation. However, effect sizes were larger when problem-driven learning was applied in a single course (when compared to a curriculum-level approach). Larger effects were also found in some academic domains (i.e., healthcare and STEM) than in others. While the impact of problem-driven learning on motivation is generally positive, the intricate interplay of factors such as academic domain and implementation level underscores the need for a nuanced approach to leveraging these instructional methods effectively with regard to increasing student motivation.

Implementing active learning methods in engineering education is becoming the new norm and is seen as a prerequisite to prepare future engineers not only for their professional life, but also to tackle global issues. Teachers at higher education institutions are expected and encouraged to introduce their students to active learning experiences, such as problem-, project-, and more recently, challenge-based learning. Teachers have to shift from more traditional teacher-centered education to becoming instructional designers of student-centered education. However, instructional designers (especially novice) often interpret and adapt even well-established methods, such as problem-based learning and project-based learning, such that the intended value thereof risks being weakened. When it comes to more recent educational settings or frameworks, such as challenge-based learning, the practices are not well established yet, so there might be even more experimentation with implementation, especially drawing inspiration from other active learning methods. By conducting a systematic literature analysis of research on problem-based learning, project-based learning, and challenge-based learning, the present paper aims to shed more light on the different steps of instructional design in implementing the three methods. Based on the analysis and synthesis of empirical findings, the paper explores the instructional design stages according to the ADDIE (analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation) model and provides recommendations for teacher practitioners.

The prevalence of project-based learning (PBL) has increased significantly, contributing to serious discussions about its advent. PBL’s critics doubt whether accentuating the practice supports teachers in using a technocratic method in education, instead of promoting instruction that is responsive to students’ ideas. Thus, this study aims to develop on using the effectiveness of the PBL approach, as a way to engage students in learning as well as to incorporate literature on the PBL method for educational purposes. The research hypotheses therefore measure the influence of the PBL method on collaborative learning, disciplinary subject learning, iterative learning, and authentic learning, which, in turn, engage students in learning. To achieve the research purpose, a questionnaire was employed as the main method of collecting data and dispensed to 124 teachers who were using the PBL approach. Structural equation modeling (SEM), a quantitative research method, was employed to obtain the findings. A significant relation was found between the PBL method and collaborative learning, disciplinary subject learning, iterative learning, and authentic learning, which, in turn, produced student engagement. The results show that the PBL technique improves student engagement by enabling knowledge and information sharing and discussion. Thus, the PBL approach is highly recommended for educational use by students and should be encouraged in universities.

English language teaching strategies determine the practicality of effective language instruction. Their effectiveness, however, was not directly examined in the context of Ethiopian primary schools. This study aimed to explore primary school EFL teachers’ innovative teaching strategies employment. The study employed a descriptive survey research design with a convergent mixed methods approach. Ten primary schools were selected conveniently, including 60 teachers. They were selected based on the accessibility of the schools and the inclusion of all English teachers. Classroom observation, questionnaire and document analysis were used to collect data. The quantitative data were analyzed in percentages, whereas the qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis techniques. The finding revealed that primary school English language teachers were not teaching English using innovative teaching strategies: cooperative learning, task-based learning, project-based learning, differentiated learning, problem-solving, critical thinking, and technology integration. Hence, the alignment of teaching strategies with the syllabus of English was mismatched. Although there were challenges in employing innovative teaching strategies, teachers’ commitment was found to be less. Therefore, it was concluded that primary school English language teachers were not employing innovative ELT strategies in Ethiopian primary schools.

This systematic literature review explores how the implementation of project-based-learning (PBL) as an experiential pedagogical methodology in engineering education contributes to the development of real-world skills among students. The methodology applied was the PRISMA protocol with searches in two databases in a 24 year timeframe. The research reviewed 54 pieces to explore the contribution of PBL to seven pillars of a holistic pedagogical model comprising the following categories: technology, an integrated curriculum, an international focus, sustainability, a multidisciplinary focus, simulation, and professional environments. Varied PBL developments across these pillars reveal challenges, including aligning with real-world complexities and promoting interdisciplinary integration. Despite obstacles, PBL in engineering shows promise for enhancing students’ skills and channeling the added value of a holistic pedagogical model, despite significant differences in the number of experiences associated with each category. Limitations include restricted article access, emphasizing the need for open science promotion.

PurposeProject-Based Learning (PBL) is an innovative approach to learning that employs a multitude of strategies critical for success in the twenty-first century. It exposes students to the real world, opens an extended inquiry process, and boosts their communication skills and interdisciplinary learning. However, the extant literature on PBL places more emphasis on learning through internal rather than external projects. Industrial collaboration projects build partnerships and provide opportunities to work on real problems, often seeking multidisciplinary approaches. This study explores and suggests the benefits that students derived from their participation in an external research and consultancy project at a University in Oman.Design/methodology/approachThe study follows a qualitative analysis approach founded on an exploratory research design. In-depth interviews were conducted with ten research assistants, two research coordinators, and two project leaders involved in the project. The data from the interview were subjected to the thematic inductive qualitative analysis using Atlas.ti 8 software.FindingsThe results of the study revealed that students derived some direct academic benefits, mainly in the area of conducting research. The major learning happened mostly in non-academic areas, for they learned many things necessary for success in real-life work situations. The students benefited largely on behavioural skills and abilities such as communication, self-confidence, English language skills, planning, thinking, and time management skills. Altogether, project-based learning offered them a different skillset beyond what they usually acquire in the conventional teaching and learning environment.Practical implicationsThe outcomes of this research support the development of curriculum design and instructional pedagogy in higher education in a specific context, concluding that PBL has much to do with the practical aspects of learning and employability. The finding suggests that by engaging in PBL, students can develop certain skills that cannot be acquired in a conventional teaching environment. PBL enables self-learning and prepares students to deal with different situations and challenges on the ground while inculcating professionalism to act in real-life situations. This study advocates the introduction of some PBL based courses in the curriculum to nurture a balanced set of skills and abilities among business students.Social implicationsThe research outcomes support Oman’s Vision 2040 and one of its strategies for capacity building that aims to adopt innovative methods for individual/collective development of students, as well as for their life-long learning.Originality/valueProject-based learning described in this study provides a pedagogical way to connect university education to a real-life situation. These results offer promising prospects for infusing outdoor multidisciplinary projects in the course curriculum. This work bears significant value for educators in designing curriculum and facilitating projects, particularly in environments where students exhibit weaknesses or inhibitions to receive the knowledge, appropriately, from the conventional mode of teaching.

In today’s modern world, students must be equipped with twenty-first century skills, particularly those related to solving real-life problems, to ensure competitiveness in the current global economy. The present study employed project-based learning (PBL) as an instructional tool for teaching math at the primary level. A convergent mixed-methods approach was adopted to determine whether the PBL approach has improved students’ twenty-first century skills, including collaborative, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. Thirty-five students of the experimental group were treated with PBL, while 35 students of the control were treated with the traditional teaching method. ANCOVA test for “critical thinking skills” showed a significant difference between the experimental and control group ( F  = 104.833, p  = 0.000 < 0.05). For collaborative skills, results also showed a significant difference between the two groups ( F  = 32.335, p  = 0.000 < 0.05). For problem-solving skills, the mean value of experimental (25.54) and control group (16.94) showed a high difference after the intervention. The t -value (8.284) and the p value ( p  = 0.000) also showed a highly significant difference. Observations of the classroom also revealed the favorable effects of employing PBL. PBL activities boosted the level of collaboration and problem-solving skills among students. Students could advance their collaboration abilities, including promoting one another’s viewpoints, speaking out when necessary, listening to one another, and participating in thoughtful discussions. During the PBL project, students’ active participation and effective collaboration were observed, significantly contributing to its success.

In this study, the experiences of science teachers who applied the design-based learning (DBL) method in science lessons and received mentoring support towards technology integration were analyzed. Using a nested mixed design, the study included 43 science teachers who participated in a professional development program carried out with a mentoring model in a national project. In the study, face-to-face and online training were given to teachers, and mentoring was provided. Lesson plans and technology integration were evaluated with an online form. It was observed that teachers mainly tried to integrate technology into DBL activities but not as a component of the design process. The teachers integrated technology when teaching DBL STEM activities by using new teaching methods that incorporated instructional technologies. They carried out the integration, especially in the stages of solution development, prototyping/testing, and communication. Teachers who believed that technology supported their professional development recommended improving professional development programs to help overcome the challenges of technology integration.

In the last 5 years, there have been several literature reviews or meta-analyses investigating various aspects of STEM education; however, they have investigated a specific aspect of STEM, e.g. robotics, or digital games, or Early childhood, or Teacher perspectives. In addition, a broad-reaching review on STEM integration has not been conducted in the past 10 years. This article reports findings from a Systematic Qualitative Literature Review concerning STEM education for children aged 4–12 in formal education contexts. To provide context, the article initially presents descriptive findings (date and country of research, age of participants, research setting, and research methodologies used) in the 60 research articles that are included for analysis. The article then answers three research questions regarding the: (1) level of integration evident in the studies; (2) role of engineering in any such integration; and (3) teaching approaches used in the studies. Findings from this research suggest that there is still much work to be done to move from scenarios where STEM integration is claimed but is not evident in practice. To do so we encourage educators and researchers to (a) focus on authentic interdisciplinary approaches rather than the siloed approaches evident in the existing research; and (b) use a teaching approach such as problem-based or project-based learning that provide opportunities for authentic integration.