Enhancing Motivation and Learning in Engineering Courses: A Challenge-Based Approach to Teaching Embedded Systems

• José Lima Instituto Politécnico de Bragança / INESC Technology and Science
• Milena F. Pinto CEFET-RJ
• Felipe N. Martins Hanze University of Applied Sciences
• Martin Hering-Bertram Hochschule Bremen City University of Applied Sciences
• Paulo Costa INESC Technology and Science

Abstract

This paper addresses an approach to teaching embedded systems programming through a challenge-based competition involving robots. This pedagogical project distinguishes itself by incorporating international students from three international institutions through the Blended Intensive Program (BIP). The research findings indicate that this approach yields excellent results regarding student engagement and learning outcomes. The challenge-based program effectively promotes students’ creative problem-solving abilities by combining theoretical instruction with hands-on experience in a competitive setting.

Keywords: BIP, Embedded Systems, Robotics, Project-based Learning, Control, Signal Processing, Education