Project Based Learning or the Rethinking of an Engineering Subject: Measuring Motivation

Abstract

Changes in society often imply rethinking approaches to certain ways of doing things. Changes in students that enter university may require a rethinking of certain subjects. This document presents the redesign of an engineering subject with the goal of improving the students’ classroom experience. The change implies moving from methodology based on traditional magistral classes to a methodology based on Project Based Learning and non-traditional class sessions. Besides, the evaluation of the students will be done by means of three types of assessment, performed by two kinds of actors: professors and students (the last ones, by means of Self-Assessment and Peer to Peer Assessment). Once the Project Based Learning methodology has been implemented, it seems wise to find out the students’ perception of the subject. To do that, a questionnaire to assess motivation, based on MSLQ, was performed (on completion of the course), as well as a satisfaction survey (completed when students had attended half of the total class sessions). Results seem to confirm that the redesign has been effective, although some issues that should be adjusted in the next future were identified.