Student feedback on project based engineering courses

Project based learning (PBL) courses have been introduced in some engineering programs at RMIT. The first year courses are designed to develop the student¿s knowledge of their future profession as well as graduate capabilities in generic skills and self-reflection. RMIT also introduced a new university wide student feedback survey in 2006. The current research examines student feedback from PBL courses in the chemical and civil engineering programs. A comparison of feedback showed many similarities. The students liked PBL courses, learning more about their profession and developing generic skills. They disliked self-reflection and commented they would like more feedback from staff and understanding of their difficulties. The differences were minor. In 2007 the main focus for improvement will be in staff working harder to motivate students and understand their difficulties and to give more suitable timely feedback.