engleski

KNOWLEDGE BASE AS A SUPPORT FOR THE PROJECT-BASED TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING LEARNING

Project-based learning forms an important segment of technical and engineering education, especially for the development of generic engineering competencies of future engineers. Given the complexity of the industry's demands today for the education of engineers, adequate support for learning and teaching is becoming a major issue of consideration. In this regard, the development of an appropriate knowledge base (KB), knowledge management system (KMS) and the dynamic development of such a system is positioned as an indispensable segment of successful learning and students support. This paper elaborates the main starting points and scientific achievements that consider the characteristics and application of KB and KMS from the standpoint of cognitive performance and the development of generic engineering competencies. An overview of the impact study of project-based learning at the undergraduate study of "Polytechnics", University of Rijeka is presented, using a specially adapted knowledge base and a customized KMS model. The analysis of the results of the participant observation identified the main characteristics of the database, specific to project-based learning and the development of generic engineering competencies. The main features of the knowledge base and associated system include: simplified visualization, basic and / or simulated abstractions, segmented problem situations and tasks that lead to a goal, user- friendliness, the possibility of basic interactivity and collaboration, and clear individual and group expectations from students. However, it should be emphasized that the learning and teaching process is not based on KB and KMS, but on the specific project activities of students and the skills of moderate such activities by teachers. Therefore, it is important to recognize that the implementation of this system is moderator- dependent and facilitates the implementation and evaluation of students' project activities.

engineering education, knowledge base, project-based learning, knowledge management system

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