Project-Based Learning in a Mechanical Engineering Course: A new proposal based on student's views

The evolution of learning in higher education is nowadays evident. Several discussions and studies have been performed about new methodologies that can disrupt the way the classes are taught in universities. In this context, Project-Based Learning (PBL) is the most emphasized. In the Mechanical Engi...

Full description

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Published in:	International journal of mechanical engineering education Vol. 50; no. 4; pp. 767 - 804
Main Authors:	Barbosa, Flavia V, Lobarinhas, Pedro AM, Teixeira, Senhorinha FCF, Teixeira, José CF
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	London, England SAGE Publications 01-10-2022 Sage Publications Ltd
Subjects:	Active Learning Colleges & universities Engineering education Learning Learning Processes Mechanical engineering Project-based learning Students Universities project-based learning integration projects Higher education mechanical engineering
Online Access:	Get full text
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!

Description
Summary:	The evolution of learning in higher education is nowadays evident. Several discussions and studies have been performed about new methodologies that can disrupt the way the classes are taught in universities. In this context, Project-Based Learning (PBL) is the most emphasized. In the Mechanical Engineering course at the University of Minho (UM), the Integration Project (IP) courses apply a PBL methodology, being these classes the differentiating element of the Integrated Master in Mechanical Engineering (IMME) compared with other Portuguese universities. However, even if the innovative aspect of this approach is recognized nationally, the opinions between students and Professors, about the structure and organization of this class, are still divided. In that sense, this work presents a new proposal for the IP courses in which the opinion of students and successful models implemented in international universities are considered. This study analyses the best PBL methodologies implemented in Engineering courses and presents a PBL model actually implemented at the IMME. This information is combined with the student's views obtained from a survey conducted at the Department of Mechanical Engineering (DEM), regarding the actual PBL model. Through this study, a new proposal for the IP courses is presented. This proposal intends to provide an effective answer to the necessity of the students, using successful tools and methodologies to improve the teaching and learning process in the IMME course. Through this proposal, it is expected to increase the learning process and motivation of the students making them better prepared for a productive profession.
ISSN:	0306-4190 2050-4586
DOI:	10.1177/03064190221078259