Developing Transversal Skills and Strengthening Collaborative Blended Learning Activities in Engineering Education: a Pilot Study

Abstract

There is an ongoing debate about the fact that educational models of the industrial age are no longer adequate. Future educational models need to provide students with the abilities to solve complex problems as well as to collaborate and interact to generate new meaning and knowledge. In order to do so, teamwork activities should be pedagogically strengthened and technologically augmented in science and engineering education. This paper presents a pilot study implementing a blended learning scenario in a bachelor course at École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). In this framework, digital tools are proposed to support collaboration. The tools considered are a learning experience platform, an integrated Tasks Management Application, as well as a collaborative reporting editor. This article also presents our findings on the usability and adoption of those tools, as well as preliminary results on their impact on engagement and teamwork. We also mention the effect of collaborative writing on contributions. Finally, we draw insightful lessons on engagement, the use of learning analytics, and the peer evaluation of teamwork.This paper contributes to science and engineering education by providing new insights on teamwork activities supported by digital tools in blended learning scenarios.

Título: Leitura circular: uma experiência cultural imersiva no território das power skills

“…A leitura circular envolve uma aprendizagem experiencial e colaborativa. Esta permite a construção do processo do conhecimento através de metodologias ativas que valorizam o foco através do debate, argumentação, correlações, interação, emoções (La Scala et al, 2022) Como constructo de possibilidades (trans)formadoras, a leitura circular pode ampliar os nossos horizontes intelectuais e reforçar a capacitação (power skills) para enfrentar os complexos problemas do século XXI, nutrindo um espírito de liderança e empreendedor e preparar os estudantes a serem inovadores, comunicadores, criativos, pensadores críticos " (…) the emphasis is on the need to prepare students to be communicative, collaborative, creative, innovative, to think critically and analytically, and to be able to effectively solve real-world problems" (Živković, 2016, p.102).…”