Abstract:

The European Higher Education Area provides an opportunity to introduce skills and concepts associated with the professional work of industrial technical engineers in subjects associated with a Degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of La Rioja. In certain subjects in which core knowledge is imparted, students are unable to recognize the implications that the various applications of this knowledge have for their professional careers. If future graduates work in the energy sector in buildings, it is essential that they know and know how to apply the Basic Document on Energy Saving of the Technical Building Code (CTE-DB-HE).

To achieve this objective, it is proposed that the teaching-learning process be strengthened through the use of active methodologies in the core subject Fundamentals of Thermal Engineering and its continuation, the capstone course Thermal Machines and Engines, to incorporate this new knowledge, develop the skills involved and increase student motivation.

This study describes innovative activities that were conducted to integrate the subjects´ contents into a practical real case in the residential sector that consisted of checking compliance with the requirements of the CTE-DB-HE and studying its implications.

These activities were accomplished via supervised group work divided into modules with corresponding tasks and partial deliverables, accompanied by follow-up interviews. With this approach, students receive feedback on the work performed and undergo continual assessment concurrently while learning. In addition, both the students’ grades and their acquired professional skills are expected to improve.

Keywords:

Experience, innovative activities, professional work, active methodologies.