Engaging students in learning: findings from a study of project-led education

Abstract

This paper reports on findings from a three-year study of project-based learning implemented in the first year of the Industrial Engineering and Management programme, at the University of Minho, Portugal. This particular model was inspired on project-led education (PLE), following Powell and Weenk's [2003. Project-Led Engineering Education. Utrecht: Lemma] work. It aims to analyse students’ perceptions of PLE as a learning device and its implications for faculty and students’ role in teaching and learning. Data collection took place in two phases through individual surveys and focus groups to students. Findings suggest the importance of PLE as a device to enhance meaningful learning and provide evidence from students that it helps to increase their engagement in learning. Implications of PLE for faculty and students role in teaching and learning will be discussed in the paper.

Keywords:

• engagement
• motivation
• student learning
• student-centred methods

Additional information

About the authors

Sandra Fernandes is an assistant professor at the Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences at the University of Coimbra, Portugal. Her research interests include teaching and learning in higher education, curriculum development and innovation, engineering education, PBL, evaluation of project-based approaches, student assessment, tutoring in higher education, amongst others.

Diana Mesquita is a PhD student at the Institute of Education and also at the Department of Production and Systems/School of Engineering, University of Minho, Portugal. Her research interests include curriculum development in higher education, active learning methodologies (e.g. PBL) and relation between universities and enterprises.

Maria Assunção Flores is an associate professor with qualification at the University of Minho, Portugal. She received her PhD from the University of Nottingham, UK. Her research interests include teacher education, evaluation, professional development, and higher education. She is currently Chair of the International Study Association on Teachers and Teaching.

Rui M. Lima is an associate professor at the Department of Production and Systems, School of Engineering of University of Minho, Portugal. His current scientific activity is centred on the following areas: Production Planning and Control; Project Management; Lean Production Systems; and Engineering Education.