PROJECT-BASED LEARNING IN ONLINE EDUCATION: EXPERIENCE OF REAL CASES AS A MEANS OF DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

Abstract

In modern education, project-based learning (PBL) is gaining increasing significance, as this approach enables students to engage with real-world tasks, develop essential professional skills, and better prepare for the demands of the contemporary job market. In the context of online education, PBL becomes even more relevant, as digital technologies provide new opportunities for interaction between students and instructors, as well as for implementing projects based on real cases, which is crucial for developing practical competencies. This study aims to analyze the essence of project-based learning in online education, explore PBL methodology, and examine its adaptation to the online environment. The research objectives include identifying the key stages of PBL implementation, analyzing examples of real-case applications in public and private educational initiatives, and assessing the impact of real projects on the development of professional skills, particularly soft and hard skills. The study employs general scientific methods such as analysis and synthesis of academic literature, comparison, and generalization to examine the theoretical foundations of PBL. Additionally, empirical methods, including the analysis of real cases from various educational contexts, are used. The methods of case comparison and analysis help evaluate the effectiveness of PBL in different countries and educational institutions. The study has shown that project-based learning in online education effectively fosters the development of both soft and hard skills, which are critical for preparing students for real-world professional challenges. The integration of real cases into the learning process allows students to acquire not only theoretical knowledge but also hands-on experience in solving complex problems that align with labor market demands. Project-based learning serves as a powerful tool for developing professional skills, as it enables students to actively apply acquired knowledge in real-world settings. Collaboration with businesses and industries through real projects makes education more practice-oriented. Implementing this approach in online education opens new possibilities for remote learning, promoting the integration of digital technologies into the educational process.