Implementation of a PBL/CDIO methodology at ISEP-P.PORTO Systems Engineering Course

Abstract

The earlier engineers start their creative process, the faster they can be useful to industry and economically compensated. The academy therefore has the duty to take the first step as an educational agent.This paper describes a teaching and learning experience for the integration of new students in Systems Engineering Course, taught at ISEP-School of Engineering, Polytechnic of Porto (ISEP-P.PORTO). This degree was designed following the principles and recommendations established in the CDIO (Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate) initiative. During the first 4 weeks of the first semester, the students attend a single subject, Engineering Labs I (LENG1), where a PBL (Problem Based Learning) methodology is implemented. The study presented refers to the 2016/17 edition, attained by 48 students, where two projects proposed, respective activities and results are described. The students’ comments regarding their acquired competences and motivations are also presented.The PBL teaching and learning methodology provided a context of design and project, an active and experiential learning in a multidisciplinary environment. Thus, students obtained a set of ethical, social and technical skills, such as teamwork, research, inter and intragroup communication and report writing, which will be useful for the rest of the course and their professional future. Projects worked out were motivating for the students to learn different areas of engineering and integrate them in the class, ISEP campus and city and established good principles of commitment in teamwork.