A project-centered approach to teaching teamwork and effective communication

Universities preparing students for technical careers have to ensure that their graduates have the skills necessary for their professions; these skills include teamwork and communication. A case study of a program that helps students to develop these skills by working on a real-world project as members of an interdisciplinary team is presented. The author identifies the key elements that are needed to make such a project-centered approach work, and outlines some of the rewards that result from such an approach.<>