EPIC project successfully developed and tested methods and approaches of problem-based learning in cooperation with universities and companies.
Universities in Europe are facing a wide range of changes: From digital teaching and self-directed, exploratory learning to the orientation of teaching content towards a culturally and knowledge-based diverse student body that is to be prepared for the job market of the future with relevant soft skills. Methods and instructions for more practice-oriented and interdisciplinary teaching in a digital context were developed during EPIC and are now available to interested parties. aconium GmbH contributed the perspective of a company to the project.
The ten project partners from eight European countries developed teaching, learning and information materials in three consecutive annual cycles to facilitate the implementation of the problem-based learning method and more project-oriented teaching at universities. These are available as eLearning units and are aimed at students, teaching staff, university management and companies wishing to cooperate with universities on a project basis.
The eLearning unit for students provides initial knowledge in the field of innovation and entrepreneurship and offers the basics of the soft skills required for the problem-based learning approach to teamwork, digital collaboration and conflict resolution.
The eLearning unit for teaching staff prepares university lecturers for the supervision of international and interdisciplinary student projects and sensitises them to teaching cooperation with companies. Guidelines and preparatory materials have also been developed for companies willing to cooperate. Organisational and examination-related aspects are also covered: instructions on how to set up and evaluate inter-university student projects as well as strategic documents for embedding these projects in existing courses or study programmes are available. A knowledge database for inspiration for future student projects rounds off the EPIC offering. aconium GmbH was responsible for the coordination and creation of the materials for teaching staff and supported the development of the materials for companies. The materials are now available on the project’s homepage.
The EPIC project ended in December 2020. The positive feedback from the students and lecturers involved shows that interdisciplinary and cross-university cooperation with companies in a digital context should continue to play an important role in the education sector in the future.