ENHANCING TECHNICAL AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION THROUGH AUDIENCE RESPONSE SYSTEM (ARS) IN PROJECT-BASED LEARNING (PBL)

In modern engineering education, addressing the diverse needs of students requires innovative teaching strategies that promote active learning and engagement. The integration of multimodal technologies, such as the Audience Response System (ARS), has emerged as a key tool for fostering interactive and personalized learning experiences. This study investigates the effectiveness of ARS in enhancing Project-Based Learning (PBL) within Electrical and Mechanical Engineering courses at the Australian University-Kuwait, focusing on its impact on technical skills, interpersonal communication, and teamwork. It’s implemented during key stages of the project lifecycle, including project planning, progress reports, and final presentations. By providing real-time feedback, the system encouraged active participation and facilitated classroom discussions. Data were collected through instructor feedback and an anonymous student survey. The survey, which was later validated by the QM department at AU, was designed to evaluate student satisfaction and the overall impact of ARS on learning outcomes.  Results revealed that students were highly satisfied with ARS, reporting significant improvements in both technical and interpersonal skills. it was concluded that ARS can facilitate active participation and diverse perspectives in classroom discussions, making students feel more comfortable by asking questions and engaging in collaborative learning. Instructors also noticed that ARS enhanced the overall learning experience by providing real-time feedback and fostering a more interactive classroom environment.The findings highlight ARS as a transformative tool for enhancing PBL in engineering education, improving both learning outcomes and student engagement. This study underscores the value of ARS in promoting active learning, collaboration, and skill development, preparing students for the challenges of their future careers.