Project-Based Learning Activities for Engineering College Students

The paper discusses the effective organization of students' project-based learning activities in an engineering university. The educational process modernization involves the introduction of new teaching approaches related to the development of additional competencies of students which allows them to implement complex projects, consequently increasing the competitiveness of university graduates in Russia. Numerous studies on project-based learning show it as the most suitable means of achieving effective competence-based education. The research proposes that the dissemination students' project-based learning activities in an engineering university will be effective when the following pedagogical conditions are implemented: targeted development of students' project-based learning activities; using student-student interaction in the students' project-based learning activities; the readiness of the university faculty to organize and implement students' project-based learning activities. Criteria for students' project-based learning competencies are basic and in-depth knowledge in engineering field; professional competencies and personal qualities, interpersonal skills, ability to initiate, develop and implement projects. The paper is based on some successful examples of effective projects done by engineering students.