Student Experiences of Online Problem-Based Learning in an Interdisciplinary Dietetic and Engineering Environment

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, restricted access to in-person facilities and traditional experiential learning activities meant that new, online solutions were needed to facilitate student learning/development across the disciplines of Allied Health and Engineering. Purpose: This article describes research conducted as part of an interdisciplinary Dietetic/Electronic Engineering project to evaluate student experiences of online problem-based learning (PBL) activities in addressing this necessity. Methodology/Approach: The authors implemented a specific, health technology-based assignment using an online PBL approach to evaluate and develop the effectiveness of this approach for students’ experiential learning. Surveys and observations were used to evaluate the project effectiveness. Findings/Conclusions: Participating students reported on their experiences of working in interdisciplinary teams, focusing on aspects such as knowledge gained, collaboration, perspective, facilitation and experiential learning. Students identified enhanced learning and research skills as some key benefits. Drawbacks identified included difficulties associated with the online environment, such as synchronisation and remoteness. Implications: The use of interdisciplinary assignments highlights the many advantages/benefits which experiential pedagogies have in supporting students to integrate and apply their knowledge to a real-world problem space. The ability to connect student engagement and motivation to the development of critical thinking skills appears to enhance problem-solving in the student work.