Methodology and Tools for Running and Managing Student Group Projects

Student group projects have been used as vehicles for experience-based learning. After years of practice, it has been realized that two problems may inhibit their success: inadequate understanding of the experience-based learning method and inadequate technical support for tutors and students to run and manager their group projects using such a method. To address the problems, a set of principles andguidelines have been developed to make the method easier to understand and apply. Based on these principles and guidelines, a dedicated web based student group project support system have designed and developed. Initial evaluative studies have shown such an approach has increased the interaction between group members, helped students and tutors to identify and address emerging problems, and facilitated their project management and decision-making processes.