Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2009
Abstract
In this paper, the authors evaluated the implementation of a Project Based Learning (ProjBL) incorporating the development of students' soft skills as well as technical or professional competences. The research question addressed here is the suitability of ProjBL in achieving the desired learning outcomes i.e. practical knowledge of engineering surveying, basic knowledge on engineering design, and soft skills or personal competences. The objectives are two-fold; (i) to evaluate the effectiveness, and (ii) to identify potential improvement. The course, the Engineering Surveying Camp offered at Year-I of a four- year civil engineering degree programme, is a two-week field course. During the course, the students carried out an actual surveying and design project in groups of 6-7 students supervised by the academics. Assessment of technical aspects was based on daily output and final products while for soft skills on performance during the various sessions. Evaluation was carried out based on the outputs and student performance during the various sessions. It was found that the technical aspects were achievable though with lesser degree for the engineering design. On soft skills, students demonstrated an overall improvement of competency but it was difficult to ascertain the levels for the average students while the best and poor performers were easily observed.
Keywords
Evaluation, Outcome based education, Project based learning
Divisions
fac_eng
Publication Title
European Journal of Scientific Research
Volume
26
Issue
1
Additional Information
Cited By (since 1996):5 Export Date: 16 December 2013 Source: Scopus Language of Original Document: English Correspondence Address: Hashim, R.; Civil Engineering Department, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; email: roslan@um.edu.my References: Dochy, F., Segers, M., van den Bossche, P., Gijbels, D., Effects of problem-based Learning: A meta-analysis (2003) Learning and Instruction, 13, pp. 533-568; (2007) Engineering Programme Accreditation Manual, , Engineering Accreditation Council, Malaysia; Felder, R.M., Brent, R., Designing and teaching courses to satisfy the ABET engineering criteria (2003) J. of Engng. Educ., 92 (1), pp. 7-25; Moesby, E., From pupil to student - a challenge for universities: An example of a PBL study programme (2002) Global J. of Engng. Educ., 6 (2), pp. 145-152; Moesby, E., Curriculum Development for Project-Oriented and Problem-Based Learning (POPBL) with Emphasis on Personal Skills and Abilities (2005) Global J. of Engng. Educ., 9 (2), pp. 121-128; Yusof, K.M., Tasir, Z., Harun, J., Helmi, S.A., Promoting Problem-Based Learning (PBL) in Engineering Courses at the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (2005) Global J. of Engng. Educ., 9 (2), pp. 175-184