Abstract
This article examines new tutoring evaluation methods to be adopted in the course, Machine Theory, in the Escola Tècnica Superior d’Enginyeria Industrial de Barcelona (ETSEIB, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya). These new methods have been developed in order to facilitate teaching staff work and include students in the evaluation process. Machine Theory is a required course with a large number of students. These students are divided into groups of three, and required to carry out a supervised work constituting 20% of their final mark. These new evaluation methods were proposed in response to the significant increase of students in spring semester of 2010-2011, and were pilot tested during fall semester of academic year 2011-2012, in the previous Industrial Engineering degree program. Pilot test results were highly satisfactory for students and teachers, alike, and met proposed educational objectives. For this reason, the new evaluation methodology was adopted in spring semester of 2011-2012, in the current bachelor’s degree program in Industrial Technology (Grau en Enginyeria en Tecnologies Industrials, GETI), where it has also achieved highly satisfactory results.
Highlights
Machine Theory is a required course, originally taken during the fourth semester of the former Industrial Engineering degree program at ETSEIB
On the basis of only two consecutive semesters adopting the new methodology in tutored sessions, authors conclude that the new methodology has been received positively by both students and teachers
The results show the benefits of working with greater guidance: 1) hours devoted to the report are spread out better for both students and teachers; 2) required objectives are clearer to the students; 3) the teacher evaluation process is more objective; 4) rubrics are a good tool for identifying evaluation criteria; and 5) the peerassessment process helps students recognize the quality of their work, and be able to critique classmates’ work
Summary
Machine Theory is a required course, originally taken during the fourth semester of the former Industrial Engineering degree program at ETSEIB. Lab sessions include hands-on assignments, and a supervised, small group work, as specified in the Machine Theory Informational sheet (2010-2011 SS). The supervised work is carried out in groups of three or four students that have three tutored sessions of 1,5 hours, over the course of the semester. The supervised work must be written up in a 10-page report, and orally defended at the end of the semester before a jury of two professors from the program. If a student repeats the course, the work grade can be maintained for 2 consecutive semesters, if the student wishes. Since academic year 2000-2001, Machine Theory has always included a supervised, small- group work developed as previously explained. The percentage of students receiving a passing mark over this 10 year period is 94,3% (Figure 1)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
