Active Learning and Soft Skills in Engineering: Two Experiences Involving Community Engagement

Abstract

Two optional workshops of the School of Engineering of the Universidad de la República (Uruguay) are presented, which implement active learning methodologies to develop soft skills through working with different community
actors. The workshops involve Computer Engineering students at different career stages and address specific contents of the disciplines through work with mem-
bers of educational centers and small enterprises. Classroom observations and interviews were conducted to characterize these courses and gather students'
opinions. Common characteristics were identified in both workshops that show active learning in the proposals, the relevance of interaction with community actors, and the development of soft skills, including teamwork, communication, real problem-solving, autonomy and empathy. The students evaluated the pro-
posals positively and highlighted the contributions of developing projects based on the link with non-university actors. Although they referred to the challenges
and difficulties involved in this distinctive approach, they valued the opportunity to put their skills into practice. It is hoped that the analysis of these experiences will provide useful elements for the development of more proposals that integrate active learning, the development of soft skills and community collaboration in engineering education.