Global Journal of Education, Finance and Management (GJEFM) · Research article · Open access
Competitions, Tangible Projects and Experiential Learning in Vocational Education: A Qualitative Case Study
Victoria Bonareva, Athanasios Patropoulos, Nikolaos Domouchtsis
29 June 2026 · Vol. 2, Issue 6, pp. 191-200
DOI: 10.65150/EP-gjefm/V2E6/2026-12
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What is this article about?
This study explores student participation in a National Open Technologies Competition as an experiential learning experience in vocational education. The research focuses on how the creation of a tangible technological project influenced students’ learning, collaboration, confidence and understanding of technology in practice.
Article at a glance
- Published
- 29 June 2026
- Volume / issue / pages
- Vol. 2, Issue 6, pp. 191-200
- ISSN
- 3117-6771 (online) · 3117-6763 (print)
- Licence
- CC BY 4.0 — free to read and reuse with attribution
- Peer review
- Double-blind, at least two independent reviewers
- Publisher
- EP Journals Group
Abstract
This study explores student participation in a National Open Technologies Competition as an experiential learning experience in vocational education. The research focuses on how the creation of a tangible technological project influenced students’ learning, collaboration, confidence and understanding of technology in practice. A qualitative case study design was adopted, involving eight vocational upper-secondary students from a public vocational school in Greece. For all participants, this was their first experience of taking part in such a competition. The preparation process lasted eight weeks, with one weekly three-hour meeting, during which students worked collaboratively on the design, programming, testing and completion of an Arduino-based accessibility-oriented technological project. Data were collected through semi-structured student interviews, the teacher’s reflective diary and photographic material from the programming and construction process. Thematic analysis showed that students initially experienced insecurity and self-doubt, but gradually became more actively engaged. The findings indicate that the tangible project helped students connect theoretical programming knowledge with practical application, develop collaborative problem-solving skills, persist through trial and error, and strengthen their self-confidence. The successful completion of the project and the distinction received in the competition further enhanced students’ sense of achievement and recognition. The study highlights the pedagogical value of student competitions and tangible projects as contexts for experiential learning in vocational education.
Keywords: experiential learning, vocational education, student competitions, tangible projects, open technologies, Arduino
Cite this article
Victoria Bonareva, Athanasios Patropoulos, & Nikolaos Domouchtsis (2026). Competitions, Tangible Projects and Experiential Learning in Vocational Education: A Qualitative Case Study. Global Journal of Education, Finance and Management, 2(6), 191-200. https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-gjefm/V2E6/2026-12
@article{Victoria2026,
title = {Competitions, Tangible Projects and Experiential Learning in Vocational Education: A Qualitative Case Study},
author = {Victoria Bonareva and Athanasios Patropoulos and Nikolaos Domouchtsis},
journal = {Global Journal of Education, Finance and Management},
year = {2026},
volume = {2},
number = {6},
pages = {191-200},
doi = {10.65150/EP-gjefm/V2E6/2026-12},
url = {https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-gjefm/V2E6/2026-12}
}Questions about this article
Who wrote this article?
Victoria Bonareva, Athanasios Patropoulos, Nikolaos Domouchtsis.
Where and when was it published?
In Global Journal of Education, Finance and Management, Volume 2, Issue 6, pages 191-200, published by EP Journals Group on 29 June 2026.
Is this article free to read?
Yes. It is open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) licence, so anyone can read, share and reuse it with attribution.
What is the DOI of this article?
10.65150/EP-gjefm/V2E6/2026-12 (https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-gjefm/V2E6/2026-12).
How do I cite this article?
APA: Victoria Bonareva, Athanasios Patropoulos, & Nikolaos Domouchtsis (2026). Competitions, Tangible Projects and Experiential Learning in Vocational Education: A Qualitative Case Study. Global Journal of Education, Finance and Management, 2(6), 191-200. https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-gjefm/V2E6/2026-12
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