MATLAB-based project assessment in process modelling unit: A case study from Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus

Abstract

MATLAB has become one of the most widely used mathematical simulation software for process modelling and simulation globally. Integrating MATLAB learning into third year undergraduate Process Modelling unit nonetheless can be quite challenging given the students’ lack of prior programming knowledge and skills. Following a “Constructive Alignment” concept, a group-based MATLAB Project assessment has been developed here that shifts the focus from ‘what the teacher does’ to ‘what the students do’ to encourage them actively and independently learn MATLAB as they do the project. The students’ learning achievements in the Project are assessed through their group reports and presentations. Detailed marking rubrics are introduced for the reports evaluation while the individual group members’ learning achievements can be differentiated during the presentations.The observed trend and comments in the 2017–2019 student feedback surveys on the unit indicate that the implementation of the MATLAB Project has enhanced the students’ learning of the mathematical modelling principles and theories and that the self-directed or discovery learning methods adopted in this Project has encouraged them to discover process modelling for themselves via experimentation and exploration – relative to before the Project was introduced. This work also demonstrates the potential to use the students’ unit learning outcome (ULO) attainment data as a tool for continuous quality improvement, i.e., to determine what aspects should be modified or improved in the next year unit delivery to address the changes observed in the current year ULO attainment with respect to the previous years’ ULOs attainments.