System for Competences' Development to Form an Engineering Profile on Undergraduate Student

Abstract

In this paper, we present the results of a study carried out with Engineering students studying Differential Equations at the Tecnologico de Monterrey and with Mechatronics students at the Tecnologico de Mexico in Hermosillo, Mexico. The purpose of this research was to determine the influences of various challenges posed in laboratory practices, an authentic evaluation system focused on the validation of competencies, and the subsequent analysis of students' academic performance to form an engineering profile that will benefit the students in their professional lives. The design of this research project was quasi-experimental, where we compared two different teaching methods applied in different semesters using control and experimental groups. The results of the research conclude that a methodology based on the implementation of laboratory practices is better than the traditional methodology for the development of the transversal and disciplinary competencies which form an engineering profile. The overall results of the research regarding the efficiency of knowledge acquired favor the experimental group, particularly when it comes to procedural, conceptual, and attitudinal competencies.