portugues

Abstract

Human resource makes outstanding productivity difference among the
countries and based on that principle a continuous search for better formation as well as
qualification of available human resources are being carried out. Since the challenge of
the engineering education in Brazil demands intensive use of science and technology
which requires highly qualified professionals it makes it to occupy outstanding position
in knowledge generation. In that sense teaching tools are studied and applied to improve
the higher engineering education, including the active methodology. Companies search
for professionals who can offer hard skills as well soft skills which can be developed
through distinct teaching methodologies as practical laboratory classes and exploratory
research. The objective of this research work was to analyze the student as well as the
engineering instructors perception of the importance of practical classes as tools for
knowledge acquisition on the area of interest. For the method selected in this research
work a questionary was applied to the professors, to the undergraduate and to the
graduated engineering students at public as well as at private institutions at Sorocaba city,
in São Paulo, Brazil. Data were analyzed by following the Likert scale which results show
the importance pointed to teaching methodology by the students and professors mainly
concerning soft skills applied toward the knowledge construction.