Using different and complementary teaching tools in project-based learning: application to civil engineering - courses on Soil Mechanics
Using different and complementary teaching tools in project-based learning: application to civil engineering - courses on Soil Mechanics
This paper describes the use of different and complementary teaching tools on two consecutive courses on Soil Mechanics (on an integrated master in Civil Engineering). In these courses, project-based learning with collaborative or cooperative teamwork was implemented. The teaching tools adopted and described herein include text processors, spreadsheets and presentations, as well as specialized geotechnical software. The students' perceptions were collected using a questionnaire and the impact of those different tools on the students' perceptions are analysed. Some considerations for future implementations of similar approaches are put forward. The students' perceptions collected allowed concluding that using different and complementary teaching tools in project-based learning can be effective in promoting students' learning. The use of such tools may contribute to the development of both technical knowledge of students and of soft skills. For this case study, the results show that the students considered the computer tools useful in promoting and facilitating the construction of knowledge and in developing several competencies, i.e., in developing their learning processes. Nevertheless, a positive attitude and commitment by both the students and the instructors are essential to successful teaching and learning processes. Getting students on board, by discussing the aims of using specific strategies, is key to promote academic success. Therefore, students must be the centre of all the teaching and learning processes.
Computing tools, Perceptions, Project-based learning, Questionnaire, Soft skills
Macedo, Joaquim
b447a57b-492d-4c43-9a06-ad3a2faa67df
Pinho-Lopes, Margarida
b7e5f7d6-90d8-48cc-b991-0495445fcea4
27 December 2018
Macedo, Joaquim
b447a57b-492d-4c43-9a06-ad3a2faa67df
Pinho-Lopes, Margarida
b7e5f7d6-90d8-48cc-b991-0495445fcea4
Macedo, Joaquim and Pinho-Lopes, Margarida
(2018)
Using different and complementary teaching tools in project-based learning: application to civil engineering - courses on Soil Mechanics.
In 3rd International Conference of the Portuguese Society for Engineering Education, CISPEE 2018.
IEEE.
6 pp
.
(doi:10.1109/CISPEE.2018.8593494).
Record type:
Conference or Workshop Item
(Paper)
Abstract
This paper describes the use of different and complementary teaching tools on two consecutive courses on Soil Mechanics (on an integrated master in Civil Engineering). In these courses, project-based learning with collaborative or cooperative teamwork was implemented. The teaching tools adopted and described herein include text processors, spreadsheets and presentations, as well as specialized geotechnical software. The students' perceptions were collected using a questionnaire and the impact of those different tools on the students' perceptions are analysed. Some considerations for future implementations of similar approaches are put forward. The students' perceptions collected allowed concluding that using different and complementary teaching tools in project-based learning can be effective in promoting students' learning. The use of such tools may contribute to the development of both technical knowledge of students and of soft skills. For this case study, the results show that the students considered the computer tools useful in promoting and facilitating the construction of knowledge and in developing several competencies, i.e., in developing their learning processes. Nevertheless, a positive attitude and commitment by both the students and the instructors are essential to successful teaching and learning processes. Getting students on board, by discussing the aims of using specific strategies, is key to promote academic success. Therefore, students must be the centre of all the teaching and learning processes.
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Submitted date: 21 May 2018
Accepted/In Press date: 27 June 2018
Published date: 27 December 2018
Venue - Dates:
3rd International Conference of the Portuguese Society for Engineering Education, CISPEE 2018: Changing Higher Education One Teacher at a Time, Creative Science Park – Aveiro Region. University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal, 2018-06-27 - 2018-06-29
Keywords:
Computing tools, Perceptions, Project-based learning, Questionnaire, Soft skills
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 422248
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/422248
PURE UUID: 538de9d1-cca9-41b2-adb7-351f5e98ea2a
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Date deposited: 19 Jul 2018 16:30
Last modified: 18 Mar 2024 03:24
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Author:
Joaquim Macedo
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