A Virtual Environment for Problem-Based Learning in Software Engineering Education

PBL (Problem-Based Learning) is a constructivist teaching method that uses real-life problems to develop skills and attitudes in students to solve them. This involves the inclusion of essential practices that are based on collaborative work and task management. As PBL is process-oriented, it is necessary to guide students in the definition of the solving process, ensure that students follow this process and monitor all the work, realizing improvements when necessary. In view of this, Virtual Learning Environments (VLE) can be very useful to support PBL processes in blended learning, providing a technological environment where the learning process can be managed. However, the literature shows that technological tools to support a PBL approach have only been explored to a limited extent and not effective. In this context, this paper proposes the "PBL-Coach", a VLE composed of a set of structured and measurable activities to support PBL in the Software Engineering Education. A case study was carried out with the aim of assessing the utility and usability of PBL-Coach in blended learning context, and the results showed a good acceptance level of its use.