Chapter 1: Problem-based entrepreneurial learning towards self-directed entrepreneurial learning

Entrepreneurial learning (EL) is closely linked to entrepreneurship education, but with EL, the focus shifts from venture creation in entrepreneurship to the learning process and value creation. Entrepreneurial learning places the responsibility of learning in students’ hands, promoting self-directed learning (SDL), where students take responsibility for their learning and actively participate, explore, adapt and transition ideas into outcomes. Problem-based learning (PBL) promotes experiential learning and is a preferred teaching and learning strategy for EL, as it is underpinned by real-world problems and can facilitate more meaningful EL. To equip individuals with the competencies and mindset to thrive in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) world, it is argued that self-directed entrepreneurial learning (SDEL) is needed. Self-directed entrepreneurial learning is proposed as an approach to learning where students take the initiative to learn self-directedly, are adaptive to change and aim to create value for themselves or society. The authors of this chapter believe that the purposeful fusion of PBL with EL can enhance students’ SDEL. In this conceptual study, an exploratory literature review was conducted to define and discuss important features of SDL, EL and PBL, and the information gathered about EL and PBL was used to explore and develop a new concept, namely ‘problem-based entrepreneurial learning’ (PBEL).