Project-based learning in capstone design courses for engineering students: Factors affecting outcomes

Young Ju Joo, Kyu Yon Lim
Ewha Womans University, Republic of Korea
So Young Lee
Seoul National University, Republic of Korea

This study aimed to examine the structural relationships among factors that affect learner satisfaction and achievement in project-based learning for capstone design courses in engineering education. Specifically, problem-solving efficacy, task value, teamwork competency, and task authenticity are suggested as critical factors that affect learner satisfaction and perceived achievement. The study employed structural equation modelling in order to examine the relationships among the variables, and the data from 363 university students who were enrolled in capstone design courses were analysed. The results suggest that task value and task authenticity exerted significant effects on learner satisfaction. Problem-solving efficacy, teamwork competency, task authenticity, and satisfaction exerted significant effects on learning outcomes, but task value did not. The results imply that the effects of problem-solving efficacy on perceived achievement reveal the importance of motivational factors in capstone design courses. In addition, instructional strategies that highlight task utility value and provide environments in which learners can share that value would be meaningful in promoting learning effectiveness in capstone design courses.
[ PDF full text for this article ]

Authors: Dr Young Ju Joo is a distinguished professor emeritus in College of Education at Ewha Womans University, Republic of Korea. Her recent research focus has been on MOOCs and flipped learning environments. Email: youngju@ewha.ac.kr Dr Kyu Yon Lim (corresponding author) is an associate professor at the Department of Educational Technology, Ewha Womans University, Republic of Korea. Her research areas include technology-enhanced learning design, computer-supported collaborative learning, and co-regulation. Email: klim@ewha.ac.kr Dr So Young Lee is a full-time instructor at the Korean Language Education Center at Seoul National University, Republic of Korea. Her recent research includes contents-based instruction and learning motivation. Email: mntweety@snu.ac.kr Please cite as: Joo, Y. J., Lim, K. Y. & Lee, S. Y. (2019). Project-based learning in capstone design courses for engineering students: Factors affecting outcomes. Issues in Educational Research, 29(1), 123-140. http://www.iier.org.au/iier29/joo.pdf