Adding 'Cherry to Cake' Just Like Integrating Project Based Learning with Conventional Teaching for Database Engineering Course

Abstract

Database engineering (DBE) is one of the essential courses in computer science and engineering as database systems are widely used in every field. This course focuses on database design, data storage and retrieval in efficient manner. It is an observation that novice learners find database design more difficult. To make database design process easier and understandable, Project based learning popularly known as PBL is already proven to be successful active learning strategy. In PBL, students work on real time project through various stages increasing their knowledge and level of understanding. Here, our study reports blend of PBL with traditional teaching for DBE course for third year students in computer science and Engineering. Focus was not only to get acquainted with database concepts &, enhance knowledge but also to successfully implement real world database application. Thus, the primary objective was to apply database concepts into practice and secondary objectives was to inculcate team work experience, communication skills, exposure to complexities of real word problem and find the solutions. We formed eighteen teams in all which worked on various real world problems through seven phases of PBL and at the end of semester, fourteen teams successfully implemented applications.