Investigation of Variables Related to University Drop-out in Problem-Based Learning

This Research to Practice Full Paper will introduce a didactic concept with the aim of activating a large cohort in a classical lecture hall. The main objective is to reduce factors which may lead to a drop-out. The didactic concept is based on a problem-based learning approach. The students solve problems in several steps which refer to an end product according to the action-oriented learning. The problem-solving processing steps are divided according to the flipped-classroom approach. At home, students familiarize themselves with the problem and the end product and collect information on both. They prepare a plan to independently solve the problem. At the university, they develop and test the solution. The test is carried out the end product. Due to the large cohort, not every solution can be checked in the lecture hall. Because of this the end product is part of a remote lab. Thus, every student can check their solution from home. The concept was tested for the first time in 2019. The students participating in the course industrial control systems and real time systems form the experimental group. The 2018 course participants form the control group. The survey is based on a pre-post-test-design which has been answered by both groups. The results show no decrease of the factor performance problems. The factor motivation to study, by contrast, could be increased significantly.