Integration of Real-World Project Tasks in a Course on Automation and Robot Engineering

Abstract

The modern engineering profession requires classical technical skills combined with creativity and a high proficiency in cooperation and sustainable development. Research indicates that the engineering education should adapt better to this. This paper introduces a teaching approach where open-ended project tasks are fully integrated into a complete course, in a context relating to the students’ future working life. The teaching approach was implemented in a course on automation and robot engineering. Extensive written student course evaluations, the students’ examination results and the teachers’ experience were used for evaluation and compared with the previous classical course. Both the students and the teachers greatly appreciated the course. It was strongly indicated that the students’ theoretical knowledge and understanding of the subject had benefited, both with regards to the technical depth and to the non-technical engineering skills. It is likely that the presented teaching approach can be used also in other engineering courses.