Teaching Students to Innovate: Evaluating Methods for Bioinspired Design and Their Impact on Design Self Efficacy

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabien Durand ◽  
Michael E. Helms ◽  
Joanna Tsenn ◽  
Erin McTigue ◽  
Daniel A. McAdams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Student Feedback ◽  
Functional Modeling ◽  
Bioinspired Design ◽  
Creative Solutions ◽  
Elective Course ◽  
High Motivation ◽  
Evaluating Methods ◽  
Tools And Methods

Bioinspired design is becoming an increasingly popular approach that makes use of nature as a source of inspiration to develop designs. Tools and methods are currently being evaluated to determine how designers may best leverage biological systems to generate designs. In this paper we present a study in an engineering elective course at Texas A&M University that explores the effects of five different methods for bioinspired design on the quality and quantity of ideas generated, student self-efficacy, as well as student feedback. These methods include Directed, Case Study, the use of AskNature.org, BioTRIZ, and Functional Modeling. We show that each of the methods produces numerous effective and creative solutions, with a high quality and quantity of ideas. We also show that the methods utilized to teach bioinspired design methods positively affect the students’ design confidence, outcome expectancy and anxiety, while also preserving students’ high motivation towards engineering design. Finally, we identify potential areas for improvement for the methods and the course.

Methods for Supporting Bioinspired Design

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael W. Glier ◽  
Joanna Tsenn ◽  
Julie S. Linsey ◽  
Daniel A. McAdams
Keyword(s):  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Biological Information ◽  
Functional Modeling ◽  
Graduate Degrees ◽  
Bioinspired Design ◽  
Powerful Approach ◽  
Engineering Problems ◽  
Keyword Searches ◽  
Design Inspiration

Bioinspired design, the use of nature to inspire solutions to engineering problems, is a powerful approach for innovation but is generally practiced on an ad hoc basis. Only recently, however, have researchers sought to develop formal tools and principles to effectively tap the wealth of design solutions found within nature. Research efforts in applying design tools such as the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ), functional modeling, and keyword searches to bioinspired design are summarized in this paper. The efforts to develop effective tools to search biological information for design inspiration are also discussed. This paper presents a case study where BioTRIZ, functional modeling, and bio-keyword searches were taught in a weekend-long workshop to working professionals in the process of obtaining their graduate degrees. The students were then given a project to re-engineer a product using the bioinspired methods. An analysis of their reports is given that discusses student success in implementing bioinspired design methods and student feedback on the methods.

A Function Based Approach to TRIZ

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony A. Nix ◽  
Ben Sherrett ◽  
Robert B. Stone
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Systematic Approach ◽  
Hybrid Design ◽  
Functional Design ◽  
Functional Modeling ◽  
Design Problems ◽  
Functional Basis ◽  
Creative Solutions

Function based design methods — those that are largely a derivative of Pahl and Beitz’s systematic approach — are a powerful tool employed in a variety of engineering design contexts. However, many other design methodologies exist and are useful in solving design problems. These methods include varying approaches from Suh’s Axiomatic Design to Altshuller’s Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TIPS or TRIZ) to the business-motivated Ulwick’s Outcome Driven Method. In this paper an attempt to merge the philosophy of functional design with the problem solving approach of TRIZ is undertaken. A framework is proposed combining functional modeling formalized by the Functional Basis with TRIZ. The process of merging the two methodologies is presented along with the key contribution, a matrix that relates the vocabulary of the Functional Basis with the 40 inventive principles of TRIZ. The use of the Functional Basis-TRIZ (FB-TRIZ) hybrid design methodology is described and a case study is presented demonstrating its use as well as the creative solutions that the approach affords.

Drama in Education Reaching Beyond the “Art Form or Teaching Tool” Dichotomy

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 70-77
Author(s):  
Irina Lešnik
Keyword(s):  
Elementary Education ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Drama In Education ◽  
History Curriculum ◽  
Art Form ◽  
Creative Solutions ◽  
Theatre Pedagogy ◽  
Emotional Level

Abstract In the following article we try to re-evaluate, the place drama occupies in contemporary elementary education. By limiting the role of drama to literature studies and theatre productions, we lose a greater potential Theatre Pedagogy has to offer to a much broader educational spectrum. The participatory practices of Theatre and Drama in Education (TiE, DiE) promote active learning, based on a most organic children’s activity - play. While students co-create the fictional world of drama, teacher's guidance is crucial in setting new challenges, encouraging students to find creative solutions and reflect on often-complex social issues. Because of its art component, drama challenges the participants on a cognitive as well as emotional level, becoming a truly transformational experience. As such, Drama in Education is especially useful when approaching sensitive and controversial topics. This thesis is presented on a case study observing Year 6 students at St’ Michael’s CE Academy in Birmingham, UK, using Drama in Education method as part of History curriculum.

scholarly journals TOOLS FOR RECORDING PROTOTYPING ACTIVITIES AND QUANTIFYING CORRESPONDING DOCUMENTATION IN THE EARLY STAGES OF PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 3159-3168
Author(s):  
Sohail Ahmed Soomro ◽  
Yazan A M Barhoush ◽  
Zhengya Gong ◽  
Panos Kostakos ◽  
Georgi V. Georgiev
Keyword(s):  
Product Development ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Design Education ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Digital Fabrication ◽  
Prototype Development ◽  
Early Stages ◽  
Creative Solutions ◽  
Insight Into

AbstractPrototyping is an essential activity in the early stages of product development. This activity can provide insight into the learning process that takes place during the implementation of an idea. It can also help to improve the design of a product. This information and the process are useful in design education as they can be used to enhance students' ability to prototype their ideas and develop creative solutions. To observe the activity of prototype development, we conducted a study on students participating in a 7-week course: Principles of Digital Fabrication. During the course, eight teams made prototypes and shared their weekly developments via internet blog posts. The posts contained prototype pictures, descriptions of their ideas, and reflections on activities. The blog documentation of the prototypes developed by the students was done without the researchers' intervention, providing essential data or research. Based on a review of other methods of capturing the prototype development process, we compare existing documentation tools with the method used in the case study and outline the practices and tools related to the effective documentation of prototyping activity.

scholarly journals Cultivating Problem-Solving Scholar-Practitioners: Impact of One CPED Program on Leader Self-Efficacy

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (11) ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
Nancy Akhavan ◽  
Nichole Walsh ◽  
Janeen Goree
Keyword(s):  
Educational Leadership ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Doctoral Program ◽  
Program Completion ◽  
Qualitative Inquiry ◽  
Daily Work ◽  
Problems Of Practice

This single case study is a qualitative inquiry into the cultivation of doctoral candidates and graduates on their efficacy as leaders in using inquiry as to approach problems of practice in daily work. The study examined a doctoral program in educational leadership at one large public university in California, USA. The case study methods included artifact analysis, an examination of field notes, and semi-structured one-on-one phone interviews. The data analysis of all sources revealed three themes related to participants’ leader self-efficacy in using scholarly inquiry on problems of practice in the field. Findings indicate that the participants grew in their leader self-efficacy, transformed, and confident in their sense of self as an educational scholar-practitioner to enact change. As a result of their experience in a Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) program, graduate participants also highlight the focus on inquiry processes to solve problems of practice as vital to educational leadership. Conclusions highlight considerations for similar programs when evaluating how they prepare graduates to impact education beyond coursework. Further research should emphasize how programs are addressing problems of practice for social justice to impact educational leaders in the field upon program completion.

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