Identification and Explanation of Project-based TeachingLearning Strategy Requirements, Proportionate to Generational Characteristics of Today's undergraduate Students

The study adopted an exploratory mixed-methods design to identify and explain the requirements of project-based teaching-learning strategy appropriate to the generational characteristics of today's undergraduate students. The statistical population of the qualitative section included experts in the two fields of educational and social sciences, of which the sample was selected through purposive sampling to the point of information saturation. In the quantitative section, the statistical population included faculty members and undergraduate students from the faculties of educational and social sciences of the two universities of Tehran and Isfahan in the academic year of 2019-2020. Of this population, a sample was selected via stratified random method, according to the size of the statistical population. Data was collected from the sample of experts through semi-structured interviews and from the faculty members and undergraduate students using a researcher-made questionnaire. The content validity of the questionnaire and interview questions was determined by means of expert checks and their reliability was estimated through Cronbach's alpha, which with a value of 0.86 was estimated as appropriate. The analysis of the interview data was based on grounded theory while the analysis technique used for the questionnaire data was descriptive survey. Based on the findings, the most important elements of the project-based teaching-learning strategy, appropriate to the generational characteristics of today's undergraduate students, are: a) combining science and practice in teaching; b) going on scientific visits and trips; c) making educational videos and photos; d) conducting seminars, writing articles, and making scientific interviews with qualified people; and e) translating valuable scientific texts and making teaching aids. Thus, the academic motivation and scientific growth of today's students depends on the application of the stated requirements in project-based teaching-learning approach. Therefore, it is recommended for teachers not to neglect them if they intend to have effective teaching and to make optimal use of educational opportunities.