An Authentic Project-Based Learning Approach for Workplace E-Learning: Creating, Joining and Reproducing Self-Project in Informal Learning Setting

Adults engaging in workplace e-learning are increasing. Authentic project-based learning (APBL) is a valuable approach to help students engage in dealing with real-world problems. There is no doubt that APBL is a highly effective approach for learners, but the implementation of it faces some challenges such as setting up the APBL problem, preparing a curriculum flexible enough for APBL and providing assistance to teams, including monitoring. This research proposed a significant APBL approach in informal learning setting for learners to engage in APBL activities directly related to real work and life, as well as to overcome some challenges of APBL implementation. They can engage in APBL activities by three modes: creating self-projects, joining the projects that others created, or reproducing the projects that others conducted. We investigated the APBL activities of students of distance education faculty, Kim Chaek University of Technology for 16 months from September, 2023. 104 learners took part in APBL by 1st mode, 428 by 2nd mode and 96 by 3rd mode, and their academic performance were improved, while some challenges of APBL implementation were overcome.