MARC

LEADER 00000nab a2200000uu 4500
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022 |a 2227-7102 
022 |a 2076-3344 
024 7 |a 10.3390/educsci15091253  |2 doi 
035 |a 3254509112 
045 2 |b d20250101  |b d20251231 
084 |a 231457  |2 nlm 
100 1 |a Huerta-Gomez-Merodio, Milagros 
245 1 |a Integrating Theory and Practice in Engineering Education: A Cross-Curricular and Problem-Based Methodology 
260 |b MDPI AG  |c 2025 
513 |a Journal Article 
520 3 |a Engineering education often struggles to connect academic content with the real-world skills demanded by industry. Despite the inclusion of teamwork, collaborative learning, and leadership training in engineering curricula, many graduates remain unprepared to deal with complex and professional challenges. This study presents a cross-curricular, practice-oriented methodology designed to strengthen the integration of theoretical knowledge and professional competencies among engineering students. The method has been implemented in the degree in Industrial Design and Product Development Engineering at the University of Cádiz. Students engaged in a realistic design task—developing an outdoor clothesline system—requiring the application of content from Materials Science, Structural Analysis, and Computer-Aided Design. Digital tools such as MILAGE LEARN+ (for gamified content review) and MindMeister (for concept mapping) have been integrated to promote autonomous learning and interdisciplinary thinking. The methodology has also been designed to improve transversal skills such as initiative, communication, and teamwork through collaborative and student-led project development. The approach has been evaluated through pre- and post-intervention surveys, informal feedback, and internship outcomes. The results showed a 40% reduction in students reporting difficulty retaining theoretical content (from 78% to 38%) and a 29% increase in self-perceived autonomous learning. The proportion of students feeling unprepared for professional environments dropped from 73% to 34%. Those experiencing anxiety when facing real-world problems has been reduced from 92% to 57%. Students have also reported greater motivation and a clearer understanding of the practical relevance of the academic content. These findings suggest that structured interdisciplinary challenges, when supported by blended learning tools and authentic design problems, can significantly improve student readiness for professional practice. The proposed methodology offers a replicable and adaptable model for other engineering programs seeking to modernize their curricula and foster transferable and real-world skills. 
653 |a Problem solving 
653 |a Pedagogy 
653 |a Students 
653 |a Teaching methods 
653 |a Concept mapping 
653 |a Curricula 
653 |a Interdisciplinary aspects 
653 |a Professional practice 
653 |a Teamwork 
653 |a Stress analysis 
653 |a Feedback 
653 |a Industrial design 
653 |a Experiential learning 
653 |a Knowledge 
653 |a Decision making 
653 |a Engineering education 
653 |a Problem based learning 
653 |a Gamification 
653 |a Product development 
653 |a Learning Activities 
653 |a Competence 
653 |a Instructional Innovation 
653 |a Educational Research 
653 |a Learning Theories 
653 |a Case Studies 
653 |a Holistic Evaluation 
653 |a Educational Theories 
653 |a Course Objectives 
653 |a Blended Learning 
653 |a Media Selection 
653 |a Expectation 
653 |a Decision Making Skills 
653 |a Evaluative Thinking 
653 |a Interdisciplinary Approach 
653 |a Learner Engagement 
653 |a Constructivism (Learning) 
653 |a Physics 
653 |a Integrated Activities 
653 |a Educational Strategies 
700 1 |a Requena-Garcia-Cruz, Maria-Victoria 
773 0 |t Education Sciences  |g vol. 15, no. 9 (2025), p. 1253-1271 
786 0 |d ProQuest  |t Education Database 
856 4 1 |3 Citation/Abstract  |u https://www.proquest.com/docview/3254509112/abstract/embedded/6A8EOT78XXH2IG52?source=fedsrch 
856 4 0 |3 Full Text + Graphics  |u https://www.proquest.com/docview/3254509112/fulltextwithgraphics/embedded/6A8EOT78XXH2IG52?source=fedsrch 
856 4 0 |3 Full Text - PDF  |u https://www.proquest.com/docview/3254509112/fulltextPDF/embedded/6A8EOT78XXH2IG52?source=fedsrch