Teaching of Physics in Engineering from Problem-Based and Project-Based Learning Approaches

Abstract

Within the scope of this research, an evaluation was conducted on the problem-based learning (PBL) and project-based learning (PrBL) methods in teaching physics to mechanical and electrical engineering students at a public university in Peru. Two groups, each consisting of 15 and 16 students, were carefully selected to ensure uniformity in academic, socioeconomic, and emotional aspects. The measurement of academic performance was conducted both at the beginning and the end of the period. The statistical analysis using the t-student test revealed that the PrBL method was significantly more effective than PBL. These findings underscore the association between the choice of learning methods and the specific scientific area being taught, emphasizing the superiority of the PrBL approach in this educational context. This discovery suggests that implementing learning strategies that incorporate a project-based approach can be a valuable option to enhance academic performance in scientific disciplines.