Development of soft skills in engineering students through collaborative work and Belbin's theory of roles

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31637/epsir-2024-1450

Keywords:

role theory, Belbin, challenge-based learning, collaborative work, soft skills, engineering students, teamwork, teaching innovation

Abstract

Introduction: This article presents the experience of implementing Belbin's Role Theory in team formation and evaluating their performance through collaborative work with university engineering students. Methodology: The study assesses students' perceptions of their collaborative work experience through a perception survey focused on participation, communication, and task distribution within the teams. Results: The study was conducted with a sample of 54 engineering students, with an average age of 21 years. Eleven balanced teams were formed based on roles. The survey results show consistency and significant improvements by the end of the course. Discussion: The level of knowledge, preparation for teamwork, and level of participation in the team showed significant improvements by the end of the course, thanks to the challenge-based approach and the applied methodology. Conclusions: The application of Belbin's Role Theory can contribute to strengthening collaborative work in academic engineering settings. However, there is a need to explore additional strategies to address students' preferences in team formation.

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Author Biographies

Juan Carlos Palacios Ortega, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja

Civil Engineer from the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja - Ecuador. Master's Degree in Engineering Sciences, mention in Transport from the National University of Cordoba. Experience at the Higher Institute of Transport Engineering (ISIT) of the Faculty of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences of the National University of Cordoba. Specialist in Traffic and Land Transport at the Directorate of Traffic, Land Transport and Road Safety of the Municipal Government of Canton Morona. Specialist in Civil Engineering: Structures and Topography at the Directorate of Urban Control and Cadastre of the Municipality of Morona. Lecturer at the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL).

María Soledad Segarra Morales, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja

Master's Degree in Geology Applied to Civil Works from the University of Granada - Spain. Master's Degree in Transport Management, mention in Traffic, Mobility and Road Safety, UIDE - Ecuador. Civil Engineer from the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja - Ecuador. Engineer in Business Administration from the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja - Ecuador. Lecturer at the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja. Assistant lecturer in civil engineering, architecture and logistics and transport. Coordinator of the Civil Engineering degree from 2014 to 2021. Member of the Observatory of Road Safety and Traffic Engineering. Member of the Road Engineering Research Group and member of the quality team of the Master's Degree in Civil Engineering with mention in Mountain Roads. Director of the Civil Engineering Department from April 2021 to date.

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Published

2024-09-16

How to Cite

Palacios Ortega, J. C., & Segarra Morales, M. S. (2024). Development of soft skills in engineering students through collaborative work and Belbin’s theory of roles. European Public & Social Innovation Review, 9, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.31637/epsir-2024-1450

Issue

Vol. 9 (2024)

Section

INNOVATING IN UNIVERSITY CONTENT FOR THE FUTURE

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Copyright (c) 2024 Juan Carlos Palacios Ortega, María Soledad Segarra Morales

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