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Exploring project-based learning: a case study of a first-year medical education course

This study describes the eleven-year period of preparation and implementation of a project-based learning programme within a first year course for medical students, at the University of Cape Town. The methodology was descriptive reflection using case study research. The study first describes current...

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Main Author: Weir,Gavin
Other Authors: Saddington, Tony
Format: Thesis
Language:English
English
Published: Humanities Education Development Unit 2025
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access_status_str Open Access
author Weir,Gavin
author2 Saddington, Tony
author_browse Saddington, Tony
Weir,Gavin
author_facet Saddington, Tony
Weir,Gavin
author_sort Weir,Gavin
collection Thesis
description This study describes the eleven-year period of preparation and implementation of a project-based learning programme within a first year course for medical students, at the University of Cape Town. The methodology was descriptive reflection using case study research. The study first describes current understandings of student approaches to learning, learning assumptions and styles of learning and the link with deep learning. Included is also a discussion on ways in which teaching approaches and methods can influence student learning. Linked to this is a review of notions of project-based learning and its place in the spectrum of teaching and learning activities encountered by students at university. The study then describes the challenges / issues that arose during the eleven-year period and the various ways in which they were responded to. The provided description also outlines ways in which the programme attempted to foster [or hinder] deep learning amongst students, since such learning is regarded as a key outcome of learning at university. The research ends with an attempt to address why the programme did not foster deep learning amongst students to the extent it could have. It proposed that for project-based learning to foster deep learning amongst students [and particularly amongst first year students] various key elements have to be in alignment. Secondly it argues for the fact that project-based learning amongst first year students should be viewed in terms of an 'apprenticeship in deep learning'. By viewing project-based learning in such terms the advantages advanced for project-based learning can be more candidly recognised. The research ends with 'implications for practice' for those prospective project-based learning practitioners who would like to harness the power of project-based learning to foster deep learning amongst their students.
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institution University of Cape Town (South Africa)
language English
eng
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:31:58.458Z
license_str Not specified — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository
publishDate 2025
publishDateRange 2025
publishDateSort 2025
publisher Humanities Education Development Unit
publisherStr Humanities Education Development Unit
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source_str UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository
spelling oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/42049 Exploring project-based learning: a case study of a first-year medical education course Weir,Gavin Saddington, Tony Edcuation course First-year This study describes the eleven-year period of preparation and implementation of a project-based learning programme within a first year course for medical students, at the University of Cape Town. The methodology was descriptive reflection using case study research. The study first describes current understandings of student approaches to learning, learning assumptions and styles of learning and the link with deep learning. Included is also a discussion on ways in which teaching approaches and methods can influence student learning. Linked to this is a review of notions of project-based learning and its place in the spectrum of teaching and learning activities encountered by students at university. The study then describes the challenges / issues that arose during the eleven-year period and the various ways in which they were responded to. The provided description also outlines ways in which the programme attempted to foster [or hinder] deep learning amongst students, since such learning is regarded as a key outcome of learning at university. The research ends with an attempt to address why the programme did not foster deep learning amongst students to the extent it could have. It proposed that for project-based learning to foster deep learning amongst students [and particularly amongst first year students] various key elements have to be in alignment. Secondly it argues for the fact that project-based learning amongst first year students should be viewed in terms of an 'apprenticeship in deep learning'. By viewing project-based learning in such terms the advantages advanced for project-based learning can be more candidly recognised. The research ends with 'implications for practice' for those prospective project-based learning practitioners who would like to harness the power of project-based learning to foster deep learning amongst their students. 2025-10-28T08:43:08Z 2025-10-28T08:43:08Z 2003 2025-10-28T08:30:24Z Thesis / Dissertation Masters Masters http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42049 en eng application/pdf Humanities Education Development Unit Faculty of Humanities University of Cape Town
spellingShingle Edcuation course
First-year
Weir,Gavin
Exploring project-based learning: a case study of a first-year medical education course
thesis_degree_str Master's
title Exploring project-based learning: a case study of a first-year medical education course
title_full Exploring project-based learning: a case study of a first-year medical education course
title_fullStr Exploring project-based learning: a case study of a first-year medical education course
title_full_unstemmed Exploring project-based learning: a case study of a first-year medical education course
title_short Exploring project-based learning: a case study of a first-year medical education course
title_sort exploring project based learning a case study of a first year medical education course
topic Edcuation course
First-year
url http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42049
work_keys_str_mv AT weirgavin exploringprojectbasedlearningacasestudyofafirstyearmedicaleducationcourse