Engineering Science-Led Computer-Aided Design: A Project-Based Approach

1995 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 181-193
Author(s):  
F. P. E. Dunne ◽  
D. A. W. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Active Learning ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Project Work ◽  
Engineering Science ◽  
Student Interest ◽  
Engineering Project ◽  
Design Work ◽  
Science Courses ◽  
Design Project ◽  
Software Packages

A project-based learning approach has been developed in which a commercial CAD package is employed to analyse and redesign a shaft and bearing system which is known to fail in service after short term use. The principal aim of the project is to emphasize the importance of the appraisal of design software packages. The students are required to apply their knowledge and understanding of the relevant engineering science to check and validate the results predicted by the software package. The project is therefore used to emphasize the importance of questioning the output obtained from software packages, and the need for validation. In addition, the project aims to introduce students to the power of the microcomputer in quickly carrying out the many iterative analyses that are often required at the detailed stages of design. The importance of project-based design work in enabling the acquisition of skills, and the development of understanding of fundamental engineering concepts is discussed and an approach is proposed for enabling integration of design teaching with first- and second-year engineering science courses within an engineering degree course. The approach presented seeks to exploit student interest and enthusiasm for engineering project work in order to aid, and enhance the development of understanding for a particular domain of engineering science. The design project considers a ‘real’ design problem, and the hardware is made available to the students for viewing and handling. It is argued that reality plays an important role in maintaining student interest and commitment, which is essential for effective learning in design. The paper gives an overview of the design project, and hence demonstrates how design teaching can provide an integrating theme within engineering science courses. The emphasis of the current approach on student-centred, active learning, rather than the traditional passive learning methods, is also discussed. Finally, an assessment is made of the project-based approach to design teaching and of its ability to develop understanding of engineering principles, to develop skills in CAD, and to maintain student enthusiasm using active learning techniques.

A tool for facilitating the automated assessment of engineering/science courses

2020 ◽  
pp. 002072092095313
Author(s):  
Azam Beg ◽  
Mouza Alhemeiri ◽  
Ajmal Beg
Keyword(s):  
Computer Architecture ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Traditional Learning ◽  
Engineering Science ◽  
Practice Test ◽  
Science Courses ◽  
Software Packages ◽  
Questions And Answers ◽  
The Creation ◽  
Learning Institutions

In recent years, massive open online courses (MOOCs) have become quite popular. Such courses are either completely free or cost nominally. Generally, the MOOCs face the challenge of not being recognized as ‘regular’ courses (i.e., the ones taken at the traditional learning institutions). One of the main reasons for this lack of acceptability is the assessment in an unsupervised environment, which is prone to the problems of test-taker’s online lookups or interaction with others for finding the answers to the test questions. A few ways of alleviating this problem include: limiting the time for answering the questions, the avoidance of repetitive questions, and the creation of a large number of questions. This paper presents a tool named QAgen that enables the automatic creation of a large number of questions and answers related to different topics in computer/electrical engineering (ECE), computer science, physics, etc. Specifically, the tool is related to the courses on digital logic design, computer architecture, etc. The generated questions are in a format that is suitable both for learning management system (LMS) based and/or non-LMS-based assessment in conventional courses or MOOCs. The proposed tool is based on open-source software, thus eliminating the need for any commercial software packages. The underlying principles of QAgen are applicable to other engineering/science courses as well, if the assessment methods require the creation of some connected-object diagrams, tables and equations. For assessing the usefulness of QAgen, practice question sets were created for three different courses. The student surveys for these courses indicated that the questions helped students prepare for actual tests/examinations. Especially favored by the students was the availability of correct answers at the end of each practice test/examination.

scholarly journals Analyzing effectiveness of active learning through project-based learning approach in university level ICT courses

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-69
Author(s):  
Dhiraj Shrestha ◽  
Satyendra Nath Lohani ◽  
Roshan Manjushree Adhikari
Keyword(s):  
Active Learning ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Learning Approaches ◽  
Engineering Project ◽  
Science And Engineering ◽  
University Level ◽  
Teaching Learning

The concept of Active Learning (AL), which has journeyed through multiple research studies over the years, is an important part of the teaching learning process at academic institutions. The present study applies active learning via project-based approaches where students engage in real life projects and solve associated complications with their research, communication, and technical skills. As a case study of effectiveness of project-based learning (PBL), especially in engineering project contexts, the present research is conducted among students studying computer science and engineering at Kathmandu University (KU), Nepal. The key findings of the study suggest that PBL assignments have helped students in their active learning processes. This paper also compares teaching and learning approaches of KU with other IT institutions of Nepal.

Failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) to improve collaborative project-based learning: Case study of a Study and Research Path in mechanical engineering

2021 ◽  
pp. 030641902199904
Author(s):  
Elena Bartolomé ◽  
Paula Benítez
Keyword(s):  
Active Learning ◽  
Failure Mode ◽  
Mechanical Engineering ◽  
Failure Modes ◽  
Collaborative Study ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
Effect Analysis ◽  
Questions And Answers

Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) is a powerful quality tool, widely used in industry, for the identification of failure modes, their effects and causes. In this work, we investigated the utility of FMEA in the education field to improve active learning processes. In our case study, the FMEA principles were adapted to assess the risk of failures in a Mechanical Engineering course on “Theory of Machines and Mechanisms” conducted through a project-based, collaborative “Study and Research Path (SRP)” methodology. The SRP is an active learning instruction format which is initiated by a generating question that leads to a sequence of derived questions and answers, and combines moments of study and inquiry. By applying the FMEA, the teaching team was able to identify the most critical failures of the process, and implement corrective actions to improve the SRP in the subsequent year. Thus, our work shows that FMEA represents a simple tool of risk assesment which can serve to identify criticality in educational process, and improve the quality of active learning.

scholarly journals Pedagogical Triage and Emergent Strategies: A Management Educational Program in Pandemic Times

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3519
Author(s):  
Paola Adinolfi ◽  
Fernando Giancotti
Keyword(s):  
Change Management ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Project Work ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Management Competencies ◽  
Educational Approach ◽  
External Conditions ◽  
The University ◽  
Defense Studies ◽  
Leadership And Change

This paper explores the post-pandemic strategic reorientation of a master in leadership and change management, investigating the conditions for its success and the side effects. The Master, which is part of the Defense Education Enhancement Plan recently approved by the Italian Ministry of Defense, led in partnership by the Center for High Defense Studies and the University of Salerno, aims at developing strategic leadership and change management competencies. The virtualization of the project work sessions that was caused by the pandemic emergency produced unexpected consequences that led the master directors to refocus the program as regards its format and method. The case-study, based on direct observation, unstructured interviews, and analysis of written documents and recorded audio, corroborates the literature regarding the emerging innovative, learner-centered approaches in management education, showing the effectiveness of an integrated educational approach based on traditional in-presence lectures, as well as experiential and project-based learning. It shows how the adjustments devised to cope with the consequences of teamwork virtualization proved to be synergistic, delivering positive outcomes in terms of participants’ satisfaction, learning, and impact. Future research avenues and practical implications are also highlighted, with a focus on the internal and external conditions for successful project-based learning in a distance learning environment.

scholarly journals MODEL PEMBELAJARAN BERBASIS PROYEK TERHADAP KEMAMPUAN BERPIKIR KREATIF SISWA PADA MATERI KOLOID

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-29
Author(s):  
Desy Kumalasari ◽  
Burhanudin Milama ◽  
Evi Sapinatul Bahriah
Keyword(s):  
Time Management ◽  
Creative Thinking ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
T Test ◽  
Project Work ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Group Design ◽  
Significance Level ◽  
Lecture Method

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of Project Based Learning on creative thinking skills of student on colloid concept. The method used in this study was quasi experiment with non-equivalent control group design. The population in this study was second semester students of SMAN 5 in Bekasi of Academic Years 2014/2015. Samples are class XI MIA-4 as the experimental class (given treatment by project-based learning model), and class MIA XI-2 as the control class (given treatment by lecture method). Data collection techniques were gained through an essay test instrument. Data value of the average pretest-posttest control group and experimental group were analyzed using t-test. The average of pretest score for control class is 19.89 and experiment class is 18.11, while the average of postest score of control class is 24.5 and experimental class is 29.35. The t-test result showed that tcount (7.35) was greater than ttable (2.0049) with significance level 5%, so the research hypothesis which states that there are significant influence of project-based learning to the creative thinking skills of students on colloid concept are accepted. In order to obtain the greatest number of information about creative thinking skills, when implemented project based learning must consider several things, that are: time management, formulation of the problem, step of project work, and assessment systems should be informed to the students in a clear and focused so that students can understand and have a passion in running the project.  Keywords: Project Based Learning, Creative Thinking, Colloid.

scholarly journals Assistive Technology for Freshmen Design and K-12 Outreach

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Devin R. Berg ◽  
Matthew Wigdahl ◽  
Charis D. Collins
Keyword(s):  
General Education ◽  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Engineering Design ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Societal Implications ◽  
Design Project ◽  
K 12 ◽  
The University ◽  
Design Experience

This Work in Progress paper presents on the design of project-based learning approach focused on assistive technology as applied in a freshmen level engineering course which also integrates outreach with the local K12 system. The university course targets general education topics as well as an introductory engineering design experience and includes content on the engineering design process, societal implications of engineering design, and a participatory lab-based design project. A partnering class of 5th graders from a local elementary school made use of a daily block of time set aside for academic interventions and individual project-based work to collaborate with the university class. A qualitative assessment was conducted and has thus far has revealed that the university students found the assistive technology theme of the semester-long design project to be meaningful. For the K12 students, the survey results and anecdotal observations suggest that we were only moderately successful in constructing a meaningful and purposeful design experience, from their perspective.

scholarly journals Project-based STEM-courses for engineering students

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 53-68
Author(s):  
Galyna Vasylivna Lutsenko ◽  
◽  
Oksana Mykolaivna Podolian ◽  
Lyudmyla Mikhailivna Ozhyndovych ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Students ◽  
Optimal Strategies ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
Project Work ◽  
Approaches To Teaching ◽  
Stem Disciplines ◽  
National University ◽  
The Impact

One of the world-recognized practices of modern higher education is the application of problem-based and project-based approaches to teaching STEM-disciplines. In case of integration of problem-based and project-based learning, the educational process is organized around the problem to be solved by students and stimulates them to find optimal strategies for solving, and project activities are chosen as a way of organizing work. The article describes the ongoing experience of implementation of project-based STEM-courses "Hydro- and Gas Dynamics" and "Applied Mechanics and Fundamentals of Design", which is part of training of engineering students of 151 Automation and Computer-integrated technologies speciality at the Bohdan Khmelnytskyy National University of Cherkasy during 2017-2019 academic years. The impact of problem-based and project-based approaches to teaching STEM-disciplines on the formation of professional and general competencies of future engineers had been analyzed. The dynamics of changes of personal and interpersonal skills of junior students during the teamwork on mono- and multidisciplinary projects had been studied. The case study method was chosen as the general research method, which corresponds to the number of research participants and the active role of researchers in the educational process. The results of surveys developed using the 5-point Likert scale, demonstrates that students mostly positively evaluate the projects and teamwork. The possibility of self-grouping, which made possible to form teams based on common interests and promote freer and more natural communication within the team, was the important factor of positive perception of project work. The disadvantages of the implemented approaches include the difficulties that manifested itself at the stage of students' planning of the project process. One of the reasons for this is the lack of previous experience in the realization of students' team projects. The introduction of multidisciplinary projects made it possible to optimize the workload of students working simultaneously on a project in two disciplines and increase the motivation to study the disciplines of the STEM cycle.

scholarly journals Providing a Uniform Design Experience in an Undergraduate Mechanical Engineering Program

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filippo A. Salustri ◽  
W. Patrick Neumann
Keyword(s):  
Design Process ◽  
Mechanical Engineering ◽  
Uniform Design ◽  
Design Engineering ◽  
Specific Design ◽  
Design Work ◽  
Design Project ◽  
Engineering Program ◽  
Design Projects ◽  
Design Experience

The design experience of 3rd year undergraduates in Mechanical Engineering at Ryerson University, and the assessment of student design work, was found to be disjointed and highly variable across the program. To attempt to address this, the authors are constructing courseware to help instructors of non-design engineering courses embed rich and consistent design projects into their courses. A “lightweight” Fast-Design process was developed. Course-specific design project examples of the process are being developed for five 3rd year courses using this design process. Current versions of all courseware are freely available. This paper details the nature of the courseware and how it was designed, developed,and deployed for the project. To date, one case has been deployed, two developed, and two more are under development. While results are so far only anecdotal, there is reason to believe that our approach can noticeably improve the design experience of students in non-design engineering courses.

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