Contribution: The experiences of three students in a co-curricular project-based design experience are explored. The objective is to characterize authentic and inauthentic (performative) forms of engagement and its potential impact on learning within an authentic experience. We consider these cases in supporting an argument for extensive…

Contribution: This study incorporates competition-based learning (CBL) into machine learning courses. By engaging students in innovative problem-solving challenges within information competitions, revealing that students' participation in online problem-solving competitions can improve their information technology, and showcase competitions can…

Contribution: This article shows that peer instruction can be applied synchronously and effectively to a distance learning course, using the learning platform Moodle together with a videoconferencing tool. Background: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all global education has been shifted from face-to-face to distance learning. While the debate on the…

Contribution: A systematic interdisciplinary engineering and technology instructional model using cutting-edge technologies is proposed in this research. This model consists of four key components: 1) interdisciplinary collaboration; 2) hands-on projects; 3) real-world simulations; and 4) cutting-edge technologies. The model was designed to engage…

Contribution: This article demonstrates the impact of today's Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in teaching software engineering (SE) course with design-based learning (DBL) and project-based learning (PBL). The results show a positive influence of integration of DBL and PBL in reducing industry gaps with improved student…

Contribution: This article shows that today's learning technologies have the potential to make lectures unnecessary by supporting student's active learning in the classroom. Background: Despite worries about their pedagogical effectiveness, lectures remain the main instructional method in university classrooms. Introducing active learning into the…

Contribution: Portable learning instrumentation has become common in university classrooms and laboratories, but few publications assess the effects of these technologies on student retention. This paper addresses this under-researched connection between the use of portable learning technologies, incorporated into an Introduction to Computer…

Contribution: A hybrid approach involving reduced lecture content with project-based learning (PBL) was introduced to a standalone course in optics at an engineering school not specialized in this area, with promising results. Background: At most schools, optics is an elective "niche" area involving a single senior course. This presents…

Contribution: This paper presents evidence demonstrating ways in which flexible classrooms (which have movable tables and chairs that can be rearranged into different layouts) afford active learning. It highlights the quantitative increase in active learning that occurs for one instructor and discusses how the affordances of the flexible classroom…

Contribution: Active classroom programmer (ACP) is a software tool that places minimal pressure on resources, and is shown to help improve student learning while also encouraging a high degree of engagement both during and outside of programming lectures. Background: Programming is difficult for students, largely due to the myriad of…

The use of project circuits (a photoplethysmograph circuit and a simple audio amplifier), introduced in a sophomore-level electric circuits course utilizing active learning and inquiry-based methods, is described. The development of the project circuits was initiated to promote enhanced engagement and deeper understanding of course content among…

The creation of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) is promoting a change toward a new model of education focused on the student. It is impelling methodological innovation processes in many European universities, leading more teachers to apply methods based on active and cooperative learning in their classrooms. However, the successful…