Implementation of Project-Based Learning at a Multidisciplinary Level of the Specialization in Design and Manufacture of Machines and Prototypes in the Degree of Mechanical Engineering

Abstract

[EN] Since the implementation of the Bologna Process, universities have been incorporating into the European Higher Education Area, adapting and unifying educational criteria for all the European centers. Although mobility and bilingualism have been clearly promoted in universities by increasing performance in certain areas, it is necessary to improve other areas such as the implementation of novel active learning methodologies to promote deep learning. For this reason, Universitat Politècnica de València is putting faith in the implementation of active methodologies that integrate the development and acquisition of competences making the students the center of the learning-teaching process. Moreover, the lack of coordination among different subjects of the specialization in design and manufacture of machines and prototypes in the degree of Mechanical Engineering, is another important issue to be considered as it makes students to find difficulties in solving real problems.

In light of all these identified difficulties, the objective of this work is to design a project-based learning (PBL) model among the different subjects of the aforementioned specialization. The use of PBL will make students to actively participate in higher-level of cognitive processes. The most important premise when designing the project, in this case a gearbox casing, is the multidisciplinary aspects as the same project will have continuity and will cover different contents throughout the different subjects in the specialization. The methodology used for defining and implementing the PBL model consists of: (i) the identification of the current main difficulties; (ii) the definition of the PBL model; (iii) the identification of the necessary contents per subject to be applied in the solving process of the PBL model; and (iv) the evaluation/assessment of the PBL model implementation.

Finally, both the project and the different activities to be carried out in the different subjects involved in the PBL model are presented. In addition, the results obtained through a satisfaction survey performed by the students to collect their opinion will be also analysed to provide feedback for further improvement of the PBL model.