scholarly journals Application of experiential learning to improve student engagement and experience in a mechanical engineering course

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 283-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huaizhong Li ◽  
Andreas Öchsner ◽  
Wayne Hall
Keyword(s):  
Student Engagement ◽  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Mechanical Engineering

scholarly journals FROM MECHANICAL ENGINEERING CAPSTONE DESIGN TO DESIGN IMPLEMENTATION

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Dumond ◽  
Eric Lanteigne
Keyword(s):  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Engineering Design ◽  
Mechanical Engineering ◽  
Capstone Course ◽  
Capstone Courses ◽  
Engineering Theory ◽  
Teaching Design ◽  
The University ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Capstone Design

Traditionally, mechanical engineering capstone courses focused on teaching students the application of fundamental engineering theory to complex mechanical designs. Recently, there has been a transition towards experiential learning initiatives, such as prototyping, in engineering design. This paper looks at the relationship between the mechanical engineering design capstone course and a course in product design and development, which provides students with the opportunity to build prototypes of their designs, at the University of Ottawa. The importance of the traditional capstone course is considered and the implications of implementing these designs are examined. Many capstone design projects would require extensive work so that they could be implemented. A large hurdle appears to exist between analytical design and design implementation, and the term time constraints limit the complexity of designs intended for prototyping. In fact, students require many design iterations before they can build full-scale functional prototypes of their design. Therefore, we have observed that simple products work best for teaching design implementation.

Impact of an Optional Experiential Learning Opportunity on Student Engagement and Performance in Undergraduate Nutrition Courses

2016 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 84-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Szeto ◽  
Jess Haines ◽  
Andrea C. Buchholz
Keyword(s):  
Student Engagement ◽  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Learning Activity ◽  
Satisfaction Survey ◽  
Personal Health ◽  
Body Composition Assessment ◽  
Percentile Rank ◽  
Final Exams ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Impact

We examined the impact of an optional experiential learning activity (ELA) on student engagement and performance in 2 undergraduate nutrition courses. The ELA involved completion of a 3-day food record, research lab tour, body composition assessment, and reflective take-home assignment. Of the 808 students in the 2 courses (1 first-year and 1 second-year course), 172 (21%) participated. Engagement was assessed by the Classroom Survey of Student Engagement (CLASSE), and performance was assessed by percentile rank on midterm and final exams. Students’ perceived learning was assessed using a satisfaction survey. Paired-samples t tests examined change in CLASSE scores and percentile rank from baseline to follow-up. Frequencies and thematic analysis were used to examine responses to Likert scale and open-ended questions on the satisfaction survey, respectively. There was an 11%–22% increase (P < 0.05) in the 3 dimensions of student engagement and a greater increase in percentile rank between the midterm and final exams among participants (7.63 ± 21.9) versus nonparticipants (−1.80 ± 22.4, P < 0.001). The majority of participants indicated the ELA enhanced their interest and learning in both their personal health and the course. Findings suggest ELAs related to personal health may improve interest, engagement, and performance among undergraduate students.

Why Take Notes?

2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 281-302
Author(s):  
Julie Loveland Swanstrom ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Student Engagement ◽  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Student Understanding ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Note Taking ◽  
Learning Practices ◽  
Integrate Research

For disciplines depending upon precise definitions and distinctions, students’ notes provide an avenue for student engagement with skill and content. Activities enliven the classroom, and those discussed here can also help students develop and exercise critical thinking skills through note-taking. Lecturing and experiential learning happen hand-in-hand when the instructor uses teaching about notes and note-taking as a method for critical engagement with class content. In this paper, I integrate research on the cognitive function of student note-taking with research on student engagement—particularly, motivating student learning, engaging students with texts, lecture, or discussion, and promoting metacognition about learning practices—by arguing that the instructor who teaches and emphasizes student note-taking elevates note-taking to a method of student engagement and daily critical thinking practice; I discuss particular methods for supporting teaching note-taking, methods that promote active learning, student engagement, and student understanding (and could be utilized in a variety of classes).

scholarly journals Fostering Interdisciplinary Research through Experiential Learning

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Hirsch ◽  
Agnieszka Paczynska ◽  
Philip Gamaghelyan
Keyword(s):  
Student Engagement ◽  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Student Learning ◽  
Interdisciplinary Research ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Learning Activities ◽  
Research Skills ◽  
Capstone Course ◽  
Faculty Team

For a number of years, a student/faculty team at the School for Conflict Analysisand Resolution has been developing experiential learning activities (ELAs) toincrease student learning, student engagement, and students' critical thinkingabilities. The team developed several new activities focused on improving studentlearning of research skills and conventions in the interdisciplinary conflict analysisand resolution field. During this session, presenters will discuss activities andmaterials developed for the program's capstone course, CONF 490, wheretheoretical readings and class activities that helped students prepare their finalresearch product were supplemented by examples of real-life research. 

scholarly journals From criminology to gerontology: case studies of experiential authenticity in higher education

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-134
Author(s):  
Suzanne Young ◽  
Ellen Tullo
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Student Engagement ◽  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Communities Of Practice ◽  
Common Features ◽  
The Core ◽  
Learning Journey ◽  
Teaching Interventions ◽  
The University ◽  
Diverse Groups

This article discusses two examples of higher education teaching interventions with evidence of high levels of student engagement resulting from experiential authenticity – the Prison: Learning Together module and an intergenerational module about ageing (NUAGE). The article outlines the aims and objectives of the two programmes and discusses the core findings from the module evaluations. The findings demonstrate that creating communities of practice using experiential authenticity enhances the learning journey for students, resulting in greater participation. Experiential authenticity has been identified as distinct from other forms of experiential learning with common features thought to result in sustained student engagement included collaboration with peers, an authentic experience of working with learners from outside the university, and reciprocal respect between members of diverse groups. We make suggestions as to how these engagement themes could be applied to other higher education settings whilst acknowledging the challenges involved.

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