ABSTRACT VIEW
UTILIZING A FORMAL COLLABORATION LEARNING APPROACH TO ENHANCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PROJECT BASED LEARNING IN A MACHINE AND MECHANISMS THEORY COURSE
P. Zalimidis1, N. Rogkas2, G. Vasileiou2, J. GarcĂ­a-Sanz-Calcedo3, V. Spitas2
1 School of Pedagogical & Technological Education (ASPETE) (GREECE)
2 National Technical University of Athens (GREECE)
3 University of Extremadura (SPAIN)
The teaching methods used in tertiary engineering education have undergone remarkable evolution in recent decades. Conventional courses, characterized by lengthy lectures attended by students, have been replaced by innovative teaching approaches that have greatly enhanced the learning process and the retention of knowledge. Contemporary education typically focuses on activities, encourages extensive interaction, and hence, is more captivating and efficient. Collaborative Learning is a highly effective approach that improves both the academic achievements and the interpersonal skills of students. Although Collaborative Learning may refer to any form of student participation in groups during their studies, when applied in a structured manner, it can result in a more enriching and successful learning experience. This article provides a detailed explanation and practical implementation of a method within the context of an engineering course, in conjunction with the utilization of the project-based learning approach. The efficacy of the strategy was validated through a satisfaction survey conducted among the participating students, as well as by analyzing the educational outcomes reflected in the grades of the final exams.

Keywords: Collaborative Learning, Project Based Learning, Active Learning, Engineering Education.