1. INTRODUCTION
This subject is called Mechatronics where a continuous assessment method is incorporated. This subject is mainly offered in Year 2 of the Higher Diploma program. Since the class size is quite big that we usually have 40+ students, the whole class is split up into 2 groups. Further, they have to form small groups 2-3 students per group to work on the mini projects. In this subject, students have to complete a mini project in order to pass this subject.
This subject consists of principles of mechanics, electronics, microprocessor, actuator, and sensor together. If you teach this subject in a conventional way that you teach each component separately, the contents are easy to get loose. However, if you use a project to integrate these components altogether, the contents are bonded closely together.
The project-based learning approach aims at encouraging students to create, training them to become more confident in problem solving, improving their management and communication skills, encouraging them to find information on their own, increasing their awareness of the importance of integration concept and enabling them to integrate different principles and skills.