Print Email Facebook Twitter The effectiveness of an activity to practise communication competencies: A case study across five European engineering universities Title The effectiveness of an activity to practise communication competencies: A case study across five European engineering universities Author Leandro Cruz, M. (TU Delft Education AE) Sá, Sofia (University of Lisbon) Mesquita, Diana (University of Minho) Lima, Rui M. (University of Minho) Saunders-Smits, Gillian (TU Delft Aerospace Structures & Materials) Department Aerospace Structures & Materials Date 2021 Abstract Although accreditation bodies emphasise communication competencies development in engineering curricula due to its importance for future engineers, the focus is often mainly on oral presentation and written reports. A communication activity was created to practice and reflect on students’ communication competencies including describing information in a short time, listening skills, and ask and respond to questions. This activity was implemented at five different European engineering universities involving 393 students. This study explores the effectiveness of this activity as a case-study of game-based learning to practise and reflect on engineering students’ communication competencies. A mixed-method approach measuring students’ communication performance, their perceived communication competencies, and the benefits of this activity to students was used to explore the game characteristics that make the activity effective. The findings of the scoring rubric and the questionnaire used showed that this activity is effective. Because it is engaging and set by rules, students actively participated during the activity, reflected on their effective and ineffective communication competencies, the existing communication barriers and styles, gained awareness, experienced communication in teams, and cooperated with different people. This study highlights the effectiveness of a small intervention using a proven communication activity, which is freely available as OpenCourseWare through TU Delft for anyone to use. Subject case studycommunication competenciesengineering curriculumGame-based learning To reference this document use: http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:0b3ab791-3707-4af7-a6f8-53c0c354ac65 DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/03064190211014458 ISSN 0306-4190 Source International Journal of Mechanical Engineering Education, 50 (3), 565-599 Part of collection Institutional Repository Document type journal article Rights © 2021 M. Leandro Cruz, Sofia Sá, Diana Mesquita, Rui M. Lima, Gillian Saunders-Smits Files PDF 03064190211014458.pdf 1.07 MB Close viewer /islandora/object/uuid:0b3ab791-3707-4af7-a6f8-53c0c354ac65/datastream/OBJ/view