Abstract

Engineers are problem solvers whether they are involved in software, electronic, analytical, civil, experimental, or design work. International accreditation institutions were strong in the student outcome programs that engineering graduates must have an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems. Our work describes the experience of developing problem-solving skills in the first year of Engineering using a Programming Methodology that makes a strong emphasis on visual components and teamwork: R&G Methodology. The R&G Methodology is a methodological proposal that guides the analysis and solution of problems in a systematic way. Canvas templates allow students to write ideas while solving a problem. Students define, explore, analyze the problem, and graphically design solutions. R&G seeks the development of cognitive skills in the student, instead of mastering the syntax of a specific programming language, promoting logical-computational thinking, the decomposition of processes, the modeling of solutions, the identification and use of patterns, among others. We have to drive quasi-experimental with a sample of 70 students from Ingeniería de Sistemas and Ingeniería Electrónica. The p-value obtained in the experimental group shows that there is an improvement regarding to problem-solving skills when students work in team for solving-problems under a structured methodology. Since programming courses are part of most of the Engineering Curriculum we consider our experience could be valuable for other Engineering.