Project-based learning in engineering design in Bulgaria: expectations,experiments and results

Using a students’ workshop as a laboratory, this article summarises the observation of three years’ implementation of a new study module for a Bachelor Program in Engineering Design (Interior and Furniture Design) at the University of Forestry, Sofia, Bulgaria. The article offers an analysis of group dynamics and the difficulties and issues observed during the process. Data from survey questionnaires are interpreted; proposals are made for future research. The conclusion of the authors includes the following points: positive response by students, important encounter with successful professionals and companies; creative fulfilment and experience of team work. On the weak side is the experienced discomfort in public presentation, lack of verbal and graphic skills, interpersonal issues and pressure of real requirements from teachers and company; lack of adequate attention by the tutors. The need of better understanding a team ‘code’ of behaviour and preparation for an active learning method was felt. A proposal leading to a mixed-team organisation for better support of first-time participants in the module is made.     

Teacher perception of professional skills in a project-led engineering semester

This study explores the perceptions of teachers with regard to professional skills in project-led engineering education experiences for first year engineering students at the University of Minho, Portugal. Their perception on which professional skills to include, how to develop these skills and how to assess them is studied through six semi-structured interviews with experienced teachers of the first year programme, who served as tutors as well as teachers in at least four projects. Analysis of their perceptions reveals a strong commitment to professional skills for engineering students, and also a lack of confidence in the support they can offer to help students develop these skills.     

Student experience of a scenario-centred curriculum

In 2006 UCL implemented new scenario-centred degree programmes in Civil and Environmental Engineering. The new curriculum can be characterised as a hybrid of problem-based, project-based and traditional approaches to learning. Four times a year students work in teams for one week on a scenario which aims to integrate learning from lecture and laboratory classes and to develop generic skills including team working and communication. Student experience of the first two years the old and new curricula were evaluated using a modified Course Experience Questionnaire. The results showed that students on the new programme were motivated by the scenarios and perceived better generic skills development, but had a lower perception of teaching quality and the development of design skills. The results of the survey support the implementation new curriculum but highlight the importance of strong integration between conventional teaching and scenarios, and the challenges of adapting teaching styles to suit.     

Project-based learning as a contributing factor to graduates’ work readiness

This paper explores what work readiness means for two cohorts of graduate engineers, one from a traditional curriculum, the second from a largely project-based curriculum. Professional bodies and employers have defined a set of attributes for engineering graduates so that graduates will be ‘work ready’. Problem-based learning (PBL) is claimed to be a suitable approach to develop such skills. The graduates were interviewed some months after starting work, along with their managers. All the graduates recognised the benefits of taking PBL subjects as well as vacation work, with success in communication attributed more to PBL. Both cohorts had similar learning outcomes, high skill levels in project management, problem solving, communication skills, research and sustainability. A skills gap in ethics was identified for both cohorts of graduates and their managers. Further work is planned to link skill development with undergraduate learning experience.     

逆向教学设计法在项目式教学中的应用--以上海交通大学“工程学导论”为例

新工科的实施核心之一在于在实践中落实以成果为导向的工程教育新模式。本文以逆向教学设计理论为指导,以上海交通大学机械与动力工程学院"工程学导论"。为平台,从设计层级化的学习目标、开展多样化的学习活动、运用多元化的评价反馈策略三方面出发,构建基于项目式教学的系统化课程设置流程。本研究是一项在系统教学理论指导下、在工程教育实践中应用基于项目式教学法,落实以成果为导向的实践案例。通过案例的演示,本研究对工程教育过程中如何明确教学目标、合理设计教学活动、优化教学方法以及如何有效进行课程评价等各方面提出了有效建议。     

以先进的理念引领工程硕士研究生教育改革——来自澳大利亚查尔斯特大学混合学习模式的启示

2018年工程类专业学位类别的调整为培养单位进行工程硕士教育改革提供了更大的自主权。打破工程硕士与工学硕士培养的同质化、突出工程实践能力培养和职业导向是工程硕士教育改革的方向。澳大利亚查尔斯特大学改变以学科知识体系进行课程设计的传统,基于项目学习和主题树在线学习进行课程设计,打造以混合学习模式为特色的土木工程本硕贯通项目,有利于培养具备实践能力、创新能力、职业素质的工程人才。研究查尔斯特大学的工程教育改革案例对我国高校工程硕士研究生教育改革有启发和借鉴意义。     

工科本科开设“科学研究专题”课程的分析

作为专题教育的实际案例,在工科本科第三学期开设了"科学研究专题"的跨学科课程。在该课程中,学生在一个专题小组内经由导师的指导,合作完成跨学科的学习任务。"科学研究专题"课程着眼于现实中相关的专业性问题及其解决,以培养对专业工程师而言很重要的六类技能。     

O2O迭代式项目学习的设计与应用——基于首要教学原理视角

针对传统项目学习存在周期长、自由度大等问题,O2O迭代式项目学习引入了O2O迭代为新型学习脚手架。它将复杂项目分解成前后知识相关的多个功能小项目,串接起线上线下的迭代学习和知识运用,螺旋式发展学习者融合知识解决复杂项目问题的能力。以首要教学原理为处方科学指导,它聚焦复杂项目增量式的解决,在O2O空间环境和协同机制的配合下,通过结构、指导、辅导和反思的过程,衔接教与学成为统一整体,服务于学习者在线上需要知道和线下需要做之间反复迭代的学习。在以开放教育信息技术应用课程为应用案例的实证研究中,样本统计显示,它能尽早发现和控制项目学习的过程变异,促进学习最终成果的绩效交付,一定程度上解决了传统项目学习容易遭遇过程障碍的难题。     

面向“项目中心课程模式”的进阶式挑战性跨学科项目设计与实践

新工科教育改革的核心问题之一是课程,课程改革的要点在于落实\"以人才培养逻辑和人的发展逻辑取代学科本位逻辑,打破学科划界而治局面\"的工程教育新模式。在深入研究MIT新工程教育转型及其\"项目中心课程模式\"基础上,电子科技大学软件工程学院创建了一门跨度1.5年的跨学科项目课程:进阶式挑战性跨学科项目Ⅰ/Ⅱ/Ⅲ。课程以学生为中心、兴趣牵引、立足系统、打破了学科隔离,设计了一个逐级进阶的项目序列,学生最终完成一个软硬一体的跨学科项目。结合工程教育认证面向产出要求,采用逆向教学方法,对项目目标和学生能力进行了达成度评价,结果表明学生的相关能力和素质得到有效培养。在国内高校全面开展新工科改革背景下,期望本文面向新工科的课程改革探索对国内相关专业建设有一定的参考。