Project-based Learning in a Course on Mechanisms and Machine Dynamics
Esche, S. K.
World Transactions on Engineering and Technology Education, Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 201-204, 2002.
Abstract
Currently, engineering education is undergoing significant changes worldwide.
In this context, the educational community is showing increasing interest in project-based learning approaches, which promise to lead to heightened student motivation, to stimulate student self-learning and to promote communication skills.
Stevens Institute of Technology is currently transforming all its educational offerings, and several courses were selected for pilot implementations of project-based teaching methodologies.
This paper presents an initial assessment of the experiences gained from the revision of a junior-level mechanical engineering course on mechanisms and machine dynamics.
The centerpiece of this revised course is a comprehensive group design project that aims at developing a realistic product.
The course content was reorganized into six two-week educational modules.
The comprehensive group design project was also structured into six parts.
It was assigned to the students right at the start of the course and included both technical and business aspects.
Written progress reports required upon completion of each individual module as well as two oral progress presentations helped to guide the students in the timely progression towards the final project goal.
Based on an assessment of the insights gained from this pilot implementation, potential modifications for future offerings of the revised course are discussed.