The benefits of design-project learning approach in an engineering course

The Project-Based Learning (PBL) approach has been widely embraced as a teaching method, fostering collaboration among students to achieve a shared goal, and gaining knowledge and skills through the exploration of engaging and complex problems for a specific period.While extensively studied in various educational contexts, from elementary to higher education, there has been limited exploration of the use of a design-project approach within PBL to enhance students' learning experiences.This paper illustrates examples of incorporating a design-project approach into the kinematics course, a pivotal component of the mechanical engineering curriculum.The design-project method integrates PBL principles, requiring students to apply theoretical knowledge to create prototypes or concepts addressing real-life problems.The framework guides students to identify a real-world problem, develop an engineering approach in groups of three, build a prototype, present their work in class, and write a technical report.The participants in this study were undergraduate students enrolled in the kinematics course, and their performance was evaluated using a rubric.The design-project approach provides students with opportunities to enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills, explore innovative ideas, and improve communication skills by explaining design decisions and receiving constructive feedback.Completing design projects allows students to create a portfolio, serving as an asset when seeking internships, jobs, or further education.Furthermore, the use of various technologies, such as 3D printers, and tools to build prototypes significantly benefits students in their future careers.The paper concludes with recommendations for implementing the design-project approach.