Design and manufacturing of a LIGHTBOARD - Combining the peer-to-peer idea with project based teaching

[EN] For lecturers in higher education it is a great challenge to involve students into critical thinking, carefully pondering solutions to mechanical engineering problems. Project based teaching gives the opportunity to gain both, higher learning outcome and self-reliant study skills. During fourth semester mechanical engineering a guided one semester project (180 hours workload, 6 ECTS) related to a complex real engineering problem focussing on customer demands and possible solutions. It comprised of the design and manufacturing of a lightboard – a “learning glass panel” consisting of a high quality optiglass panel which is surrounded by LED lights. As on regular whiteboards a lecture may be given and filmed directly writing on the 16:9 screen glass panel with flourescent pens – the lecturer always facing the audience. This lightboard project directly involves students in the production of a teaching device (peer-to-peer approach) and the teaching method is regarded beneficial in terms of students` learning outcome and self-reliance as well as engineering skills. However, the work load is very high and grading is insuffient. Therefore the method and the role of a lecturer as facilitator is discussed.