The importance of the project theme in project-based learning: a study of student and teacher perceptions

Abstract

Motivation to Learn represents a prime driving force in Engineering Education. It encompasses a multitude of facets relating the learning process itself and the learning agents, namely students and teachers. Motivation is triggered both by learning agents inner strengths, level of interaction and particular perception of the learning objects relevance. This paper investigates the relevance of the project themes within the context of interdisciplinary project-led engineering education at University of Minho, Portugal. The study is backed-up by results from the 2010-2011 PLE edition of the Integrated Master degree on Industrial Management and Engineering. This includes results from a questionnaire applied to students, a questionnaire applied to the group of teachers. Analysis of results show a strong link between students and teachers perceptions on theme relevance, while giving insights into aspects that should be taken into account when analysing and making a decision on semester-wide project themes.