Scaffolding project-based learning in an engineering and education partnership using open-access technology

• Autores: Pilar Pazos, Stacie I. Ringleb, Jennifer Kidd, Rachel Jones
• Localización: The International journal of engineering education, ISSN-e 0949-149X, Vol. 35, no. Extra 5, 2019, págs. 1306-1315
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • This paper describes the use of a freely-accessible open-source platform based on Google Apps for Education that combinesGoogle Sites, Google Docs, Google Drive, Google Hangouts and script language in a custom-based interface that supportscollaborative service-learning projects for teams of Engineering and Education students. The approach discussed in this paper wassuccessful in promoting collaboration among students from two different disciplines working remotely. The analysis suggests thatbalanced participation in the team, presence of shared goals and clear roles that emphasized individual and collectiveresponsibilities were key to a successful interdisciplinary project experience. While many students still reported struggling withnormal teamwork challenges, like finding common meeting times, others were pleased with the dynamics of their team and theopportunity to learn from one another. While SCOL, the open-source collaboration tool, did not significantly predict teamsatisfaction, the instructors found it very valuable for structuring project tasks, monitoring student progress, and providing timelyfeedback. The tool was seen as critical in supporting cross-disciplinary course collaboration for which students had limited accessto face-to-face interaction. Faculty emphasized the importance of training students to use the asynchronous communication andcollaboration tools (e.g., Google Docs and Google Hangouts) to maximize the benefits for students. Training will be included infuture implementations of SCOL to ensure a more effective use of the platform.