Students' Self-Regulated Learning Deficiencies During the Capstone Design Course

Engineering design is an iterative problem-solving activity that utilizes basic science, mathematics, and engineering science. It is a challenging and complex process, especially during the Capstone design course, where students usually engage in a complete design process for the first time. In this course, they need to use, oversee, and adjust their design, communication, and managerial skills to accomplish the design goals. In other words, self-regulated learning (SRL or self-regulation) skills are crucial during such period. Studies suggest that a good self-regulated student tends to perform better and produce higher quality design compared to their counterparts. By reflecting on our five-year research project, students' self-regulation deficiencies while engaged in a design process are explicated, and methods to overcome them are discussed.