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Session 1: Overview of SRC and Their Project Based Learning Strategy

Key Points Summarising Session 1

This session outlines Southern Regional College’s PBL strategy, from its initial adoption in 2015 to a strategic refresh in 2019. It explores SRC’s PBL development roadmap, a dedicated portal, and various internal marketing strategies used to maintain staff engagement and raise awareness of successful PBL across the College and wider industry community.

The session was led by Lynne Ervine (PBL and Technology Enhanced Learning Manager, Southern Regional College).

SRC’s PBL Journey and Strategic Refresh

In 2015, SRC adopted PBL to enhance vocational education using applied, student-centred learning. Despite initial success, by 2019, the strategy was starting to stagnate. Challenges included:

  • Staff lacking clear understanding of PBL principles, often leading to misconceptions or inconsistent implementation.
  • Institutionally, SRC was looking inwards for gold standard best practice, at the expense of fresh external perspectives.

In 2019, SRC created a new PBL Manager role and undertook a strategy review:

  • SRC initially undertook Edge-supported bespoke PBL training. Via the Deeper Learning Network they also ran site trips to XP School and School 21, and an Erasmus-funded visit to PBL schools in Denmark .
  • They subsequently updated their PBL framework with a structured roadmap that embeds PBL consistently across all five campuses.

SRC’s PBL Development Roadmap

SRC’s new approach introduced several changes and simplifications to their PBL strategy:

  • Branded resources: SRC established a unified college-wide PBL brand. Customised resources include templates, guidelines, and tools to embed transversal skills into every project and practice area.
  • Focus on PBL essentials: SRC refocused on PBL basics, e.g. the importance of a strong driving question, final product and showcase event. These were adapted into visual guides around which all planning and showcasing is now centred.
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  • Staff self-assessment: Staff must self-assess projects against core PBL criteria – asking to what extent each has been effectively met. This collaborative yet formal process (with sign-off required) encourages PBL integration across all practice areas in the College.
  • Professional development and support: Staff development is a cornerstone of SRC’s strategy. Mandatory training and bespoke workshops help educators strengthen their practice, while guidance from PBL officers provides opportunities for ad-hoc support.

New PBL Portal and Marketing Strategy

To integrate PBL and support staff/student buy-in, SRC created a structured approach aimed at reducing information overload. It consists of a central repository on their VLE as well as a new dedicated project portal.

  • The VLE’s centralised resource hub is accessible to all students and staff, who are signed up automatically during enrolment. Any new information is sign-posted using messages on Microsoft Teams.
  • The PBL portal is where projects are designed, recorded and linked to existing systems. This allows for accurate reporting on projects, offering visibility of all projects across the college in a central area.

Recognising staff time constraints, SRC has also developed a digital marketing strategy to maintain staff engagement. This comprises several content elements, again, distributed via Teams:

  • ‘Headlines’: Bite-sized updates – around a minute in length. These offer quick, engaging overviews of key developments or opportunities. They act as a simple “hook" to encourage further exploration.
  • ‘Spotlights’: Short, engaging videos or brief reads that highlight standout PBL projects and concepts. They are about five minutes long.
  • ‘Insights’: These target staff with a little more time to spare, particularly those interested in a given topic. They provide deeper dives such as links to relevant articles, podcasts, or websites.
  • Short toolkits: These accompany each Insight, offering practical, hands-on techniques that staff can use to apply PBL across their teaching.

Celebrating Success and Promoting Visibility

Finally, to build momentum around PBL and encourage continued engagement, SRC fosters a culture of celebration and visibility:

  • Best practice events: Regularly taking place for staff across all five campuses, these showcase successful PBL projects and promote collaboration and sharing opportunities.
  • Annual competitions: Every year each campus selects a project to advance to a College-wide competition. Students present projects to a panel of experts who assess their work and presentation skills. This popular event encourages students and staff alike to participate.
  • Sector-level engagement: The annual competition also showcases SRC’s leadership in transversal skills development to external partners, while offering students industry-networking opportunities. SRC is currently seeking World Skills endorsement for their competition.

Upcoming videos explore SRC’s PBL strategy in practice with lecturer and student insights.