Implementing of Project-Based and Skill Assessment Pedagogy in Mechatronics Course

This paper describes the implementation of a project-based learning (PjBL) approach in mechatronics course for the first-year engineering students at ENSGSI (Ecole Nationale Supérieure en Génie des Systèmes et de l'Innovation) in France. The pedagogy is designed to meet the education plan in forming future innovation engineers. The adopted educational model combines classroom, PjBL and skill-based assessment. The project prototypes are realized using FabLab equipment and Arduino kits. The student skills are assessed by a self-evaluation, a written exam, and a project jury evaluation. Individual competencies of each student are assessed at the beginning of the course and then compared to his/her competencies at the end of the course. The results show how the PjBL with various skill assessments can be applied and how they can improve learning efficiency and student attitudes. The feedback from students is positive, which encourage us to adopt and pursue this pedagogy.