Personal skills and abilities in curriculum development planning for Project Oriented and Problem-Based Learning (POPBL)

In this article, the author is giving examples on an approach to include the personal competences in the initial phase of the planning process for a change towards project organized and problem-based learning ? POPBL. A model is presented on how to have trainees recognize the necessity to include professional competences as well as personal competences in a new POPBL based curriculum. The article continues by giving an example of a possible method to be used in the developing of a curriculum where the personal skills and abilities are an active and equally valued as the development of the students? technical competences. The article includes a series of illustrations that in a clear and instructive way guides the reader through a difficult subject and the illustrations serve as a guide to be used when communicating new ideas presented and make it possible to have them adopted in a traditionally perceived conservative environment. The method used and described in the article has been developed through training activities at workshops tended by executives, academic directors and teachers at different Universities.