IMPLEMENTING PROJECT-BASED LEARNING (PJBL) IN THE MECHANICAL ENGINEERING WITH FOCUS ON SEVERAL COMPETENCES

Abstract

The project-based learning thread allows thestudents to have articulation with the professional reality,relationship between theory and practice, developing theirsoft skills, such as accomplishment of collaborativeactivities, explanation of ideas and problems in anaccessible way, oral and written communication, conduct ofmeetings, decision making, conflicts management andprojects management. This study employs three differentsubjects: involvement of students from different grades,being 2nd and 4th grades; a great number of students,approximately eighty; and little interferences of theprofessors, as it is expected that the students areautonomous on their works. This experience took place atthe first semester of 2008/2009 and the findings areextremely satisfactory, pointing out an increase of thestudent’s motivation and commitment and to have moreautonomy, responsibility and assertiveness in makingdecision throughout the projects.Index Terms ⎯ engineering education, project-basedlearning, education skills.