Project-based learning, initial steps in the Automation studies at UCLV

Abstract

Every year young professionals from the central region of Cuba, mainly between Villa Clara and Camagüey, finish their studies of Automation Engineering at the Universidad Central "Marta Abreu" de Las Villas (UCLV). In spite of the Good preparation they show in the places where they start working, many of them do not develop their full potential during their student stage. This problem has been identified by a group of professors of the specialty at the UCLV, developed a sectorial project to try to revert that issue. This paper describes the experience of one of the working area work: Project-Based Learning (PBL). Its objective was to evaluate PBL, in small groups of students, as a means of stimulating their interest in studying. The results achieved, although biased by the pandemic, demonstrate the good acceptance of the methodology.