scholarly journals An interdisciplinary complex problem as a starting point for learning: Impact of the PBL method in second-year Environmental engineering students

Author(s):  
E. Saez de Camara ◽  
A. Lopez-Urionabarrenechea ◽  
M. N. Azpiazu ◽  
P. Ruiz de Arbulo ◽  
G. Insunza

<p class="Textoindependiente21">Three courses of the second year degree in Environmental Engineering (Geology and Pedology, Ecology and Economics and Business Administration) have been remodeled using the Problem-Based Learning methodology. The proposed problem is a real-life and integrative problem related to their specialization which must be solved in these three courses at the same time. The results reveal that during this experience students were considerably more active, cooperative and involved, and the success rate doubled that of similar engineering courses of the Faculty. Regarding students’ opinion, it should be emphasized that they perceive that this method is functional and encouraging. A high percentage of the students describe the experience as positive or very positive. Additionally, they stated that the Problem-Based Learning promoted the development of skills that, in their own view, are essential for their career, such as teamwork and communication.</p>

Author(s):  
Emily M. Hunt ◽  
Pamela Lockwood-Cooke ◽  
Paul Fisher

Problem-based Learning (PBL) is a motivating, problem-centered teaching method with exciting potential in engineering education. PBL can be used in engineering education to bridge the gap between theory and practice in a gradual way. The most common problem encountered when attempting to integrate PBL into the undergraduate engineering classroom is the time requirement to complete a significant, useful problem. Because PBL has such potential in engineering, mathematics, and science education, professors from engineering, mathematics, and physics have joined together to solve small pieces of a large engineering problem concurrently in an effort to reduce the time required to solve a complex problem in any one class. This is a pilot project for a National Science Foundation (NSF) supported Science Talent Expansion Program (STEP) grant entitled Increasing Numbers, Connections, and Retention in Science and Engineering (INCRSE) (NSF 0622442). The students involved are undergraduate mechanical engineering students that are co-enrolled in Engineering Statics, Calculus II, and Engineering Physics I. These classes are linked using PBL to increase both student engagement and success. The problem addresses concepts taught in class, reinforces connections among the courses, and provides real-world applications. Student, faculty, and industry assessment of the problem reveals a mutually beneficial experience that provides a link for students between in-class concepts and real-world application. This method of problem-based learning provides a practical application that can be used in engineering curricula.


Author(s):  
Timber K.M. Yuen ◽  
Lucian Balan ◽  
Dan Centea ◽  
Kostas Apostolou ◽  
Ishwar Singh

This paper presents the implementation of a blended Instruction-Based Learning /Problem Based Learning (IBL/PBL) approach in an engineering technology curriculum. In a second year course “Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer”, students’ background knowledge is developed through IBL in the form of weekly lectures, and PBL in the form of labs and project. Eight weekly lab experiments are used to develop the students’ lab skills. Each one of the labs is scheduled such that it perfectly matches the material covered in the lectures. Through such a coordinated blended approach, students see in real-life how analytical solutions discussed in the textbook are applied and what the effect of altering design parameters is. This helps them develop problem solving skills. Also, they collect and analyze data to understand the limitations of the theory. Then in weeks 9-12, a PBL course project is introduced allowing students to implement the knowledge learned. In groups, they research the given topic, brainstorm solutions, build and test the prototypes, and present the results to the class. The benefits of such a blended approach include greater emphasis on important concepts, easier visualization of abstract ideas, higher adaptation of delivery method to the course content, broader scope of expected learning outcomes and increased student/professor contact time.


Author(s):  
Fiona Serack

Students and educators should work together on pushing the boundaries of expectation - "expect more to get more" - so that design courses can become increasingly effective and greater potential can be achieved. I encourage instructors and educators to consider the fact that this generation of engineering students enter university with a multitude of experiences and skills in design, decision making and communication that past generations did not have – and taking advantage of that advanced starting point will greatly improve the caliber of the course offerings. As an engineering undergraduate student at Queen’s University, I have been exposed to several engineering design courses. Starting in the 2011-2012 academic year when I was in my second year, a course referred to as APSC 200/293 was introduced. I will be critically discussing my experiences both positive and negative with this design course, as well as the first year design course, and in my opinion how they can be improved. Information and feedback regarding the design courses was obtained from the faculty and compared to my observations. Starting the design courses early on in the students’ careers gives them an excellent introduction to the real world of engineering. However, there is great room for improvement in courses of this sort, which can be assisted by utilizing the opinions of willing students. I will further discuss these courses, their downfalls and advantages, and where improvements could be made to promote the success of students.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 501-516
Author(s):  
María Ángela Jiménez Montañés ◽  
◽  
Susana Villaluenga de Gracia

The implementation of curricula of degree, within the framework of the European space of higher education (EEES) has been a substantial change in University learning. The student spent acquire knowledge, competencies, being considered as “an identifiable and measurable set of knowledge, attitudes, values and skills related that allow satisfactory performance in real-life situations of work, according to the standards used in the occupational area” (Van-der Hofstadt & Gómez, 2013, p. 30). More specifically, we talk about generic skills, which are the cognitive, social, emotional and ethical (initiative, effort with the quality, liability, etc.) of transferable character that constitute “knowledge be” in vocational training of the University; and specific competencies in the various degrees and disciplines, allowing to specify functions and professional profiles to form. The degree of management and business administration, general objective is to train professionals and experts in the knowledge and use of processes, procedures, and practices employed in organizations. This overall objective implies to consider the interrelationships between the different parts of the Organization and its relationship with the environment. Studies administration and business management are aimed at learning theories, models and tools applicable to the processes of decision and management organizations. According to the book white of the title of the degree in economics and business, published by the national agency of evaluation and quality, distinguish between specific objectives in the field of knowledge and specific objectives in the field of competences and skills. Focusing on the latter, and in accordance with the Subject Benchmark Statements of General Business and Management, published by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education in the United Kingdom, the specific objectives in the field of skills and abilities that we focus the work would empower the student to it raise the ethical exercise of the profession, assuming social responsibility in decision-making. In this environment, it is necessary to consider the implementation of the 2014/95/EU Directive on disclosure of non-financial information and information on diversity of certain large companies and certain groups resulted in the publication of the Royal Decree 18/2017, of 24 November, whereby amending the commercial code, the consolidated text of the Capital Companies Act approved by Royal Legislative Decree 1/2010 of 2 July and the law 22/2015, 20 July audit of accounts , in the field of non-financial information and diversity. This new disclosure requirement for companies leads us to consider the need to introduce a transversal subject in the curricula of students in economics and management and business administration studies, in order to acquire the skills necessary in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), to produce the new business reports.


2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-114
Author(s):  
Lal Mohan Baral ◽  
Ramzan Muhammad ◽  
Claudiu Vasile Kifor ◽  
Ioan Bondrea

AbstractProblem-based learning as a teaching tool is now used globally in many areas of higher education. It provides an opportunity for students to explore technical problems from a system-level perspective and to be self-directed life-long learner which is mandatory for equipping engineering students with the skill and knowledge. This paper presents a case study illustrating the effectiveness of implemented Problem-based learning (PBL) during five semesters in the undergraduate programs of Textile Engineering in Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST). An assessment has been done on the basis of feedback from the students as well as their employers by conducting an empirical survey for the evaluation of PBL impact to enhance the student's competencies. The Evaluations indicate that students have achieved remarkable competencies through PBL practices which helped them to be competent in their professional life.


Author(s):  
Umar Iqbal ◽  
Deena Salem ◽  
David Strong

The objective of this paper is to document the experience of developing and implementing a second-year course in an engineering professional spine that was developed in a first-tier research university and relies on project-based core courses. The main objective of this spine is to develop the students’ cognitive and employability skills that will allow them to stand out from the crowd of other engineering graduates.The spine was developed and delivered for the first time in the academic year 2010-2011 for first-year general engineering students. In the year 2011-2012, those students joined different programs, and accordingly the second-year course was tailored to align with the different programs’ learning outcomes. This paper discusses the development and implementation of the course in the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) department.


Edupedia ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-21
Author(s):  
Subyanto ◽  
Kurniyatul Faizah

In Natural Sciences (IPA) there are three aspects of learning, they arenatural sciences as product, process, and strengthening attitudes. This natural sciences learning classification found relevance with Islamic education learning in the aspect of fiqh, theseare fiqh as a product and fiqh as a process. The types of humanistlearning arelearning other than as a product, because this learning is not just transfer of knowledge without rationality, so that the lesson is not able to take part in the real life of humanity. In the implementation, humanist learning can be carried out using several scientific approaches such as problem based learning, discovery learning, social interaction, role playing, team research, and other forms that are oriented to students involvementdirectly.


HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 509e-509
Author(s):  
Robert P. Rice

The Cal Poly philosophy of “Learn and Understand by Doing” has been integrated with problem-based learning and the use of the latest technology to produce a class that closely simulates real-life pest control situations. Goals of the class, Disease and Pest Control Systems for Ornamental Plants, are to teach students pest monitoring, control and problem solving techniques, the use of resources including the internet and journals, and the use of the latest pest control equipment and application techniques. Students are shown pest situations and then work in groups to diagnose the problem, investigate management strategies, apply control measures, and monitor results. Weekly class presentations inform the class of the various projects and help to teach the class organization and presentation skills. Student evaluations and test performance have demonstrated that students achieve class objectives substantially better with the problem-based learning approach than with the previous lecture-based approach to the class.


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