Student projects towards Project-Based Learning for teaching Computer Science in secondary schools

Student projects are core activities for a project-based learning approach. However, introducing projects in classes does not automatically imply the adoption of such a method. In this paper we propose a scheme as a tool to analyse if and how much student projects are introduced and realised according to a project-based learning method. As part of a larger research, the scheme has been applied to six student projects for teaching computer science in Italian secondary schools. Results of the study highlight some critical issues and suggest some best practices to support teachers to exploit student projects towards a project-based learning method.