Promoting Students' Soft Skills through Project-Based Learning in Character Building Pancasila Course: A Study in a Higher Education Institution in Indonesia

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Soft Skills; Active Learning; Student Projects; Values Education; Foreign Countries; College Freshmen; Instructional Effectiveness; Student Attitudes

It is widely known that project-based learning helps students enhance their general and subject-specific competencies. Project-based learning approach emphasizes the active role of the learners by applying knowledge rather than absorbing it. In addition, project-based learning fosters the development of 21st century skills such as critical and creative thinking, communication, and collaboration. Hence, implementing project-based learning approach in higher education institutions is necessary. The purpose of this study is to examine how the implementation of project-based learning in higher education fosters students' soft skills which they would need in the future. Data was gathered through online open-ended survey to the freshmen in Character Building Pancasila classes. Students revealed that project-based learning enable them to advance both intellectually and personally through real-world applications. This qualitative study also reveals that through project-based learning students learn to raise their social awareness, critical and creative thinking, and collaboration skills. The participants of this study also reported that accomplishing all tasks in the project help them boost their confidence in their ability to convey complex information in a clear and engaging manner. [For the complete proceedings, see ED672804.]

As Provided

2025

ED673151