Integrated Strategies of Participatory Design and PBL Towards Collaboration Quality

PBL (Problem-Based Learning) as a self-directed learning approach had been widely used in the K12 education area. However, researchers and practitioners still face confusion and challenges on collaboration quality. We defined the problems for such quality through observation at Tongji-Huangpu School of Design and Innovation (THDI). Then the hypothesis that participatory design could improve the quality of collaboration and involvement has been put forward based on related work analysis of integration PD in PBL. The enhancement orientation includes using inclusive and interactive PD approach to improve valuable inquiry clues and group attendance towards high collaboration quality. To analyze the collaboration quality degree and performance based on PD approaches, we took the method of user research for participants who are involved in the PD-driven PBL module at THDI. The research focus factors, effectiveness implementation of integration the participatory design approaches in PBL. We further explored the accessible and efficient strategies for applying such methods in PBL scenario as research findings. This study proposed a theoretical framework which takes the advantages of participatory design towards smooth and efficient collaboration quality in PBL progression, and the research at THDI also has also provided an action paradigm and feasible guideline for similar context.