Soft systems approach to project-based education and its practice in a Japanese university

A practical methodology is necessary to provide a more effective approach to project-based education at the university level. In this paper, we first design and systematize a prototype of such an approach that will allow the instructor to internalize SSM. We then discuss the results of an application of this approach to real educational schemes at a university. We found that with this approach an instructor can intervene more suitably in the classroom as well as enhance student satisfaction. Finally, we propose an improved approach to project-based university education based on the examinations of the practical application. Copyright (c) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.