Effectiveness of Introducing Problem Based Learning in the Undergraduate Engineering Curriculum

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjeev K. Khanna ◽  
Robert A. Winholtz ◽  
David H. Jonassen ◽  
Andrew Tawfik ◽  
Holly Henry
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Materials Science ◽  
Problem Based Learning ◽  
Intellectual Activity ◽  
Traditional Lecture ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Undergraduate Engineering ◽  
Powerful Approach ◽  
The Subject

Problem solving is the primary intellectual activity of engineers. Therefore, enhancing problem-solving skills is essential for preparing engineering students for practice in the profession. A powerful approach for enhancing problem-solving skills is the problem-based learning (PBL) method. This paper presents the design and construction of a PBL-based course in materials science at the junior level in a mechanical & aerospace engineering (MAE) department. We assess the ability of a PBL course based on longer complex problems to enable students to learn both fundamental knowledge of the subject matter and also problem solving skills and contrast it with outcomes in a traditional lecture based course. The issues and challenges faced in assessing and implementing PBL are discussed.

Introducing Problem Based Learning in a Materials Science Course in the Undergraduate Engineering Curriculum

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holly Henry ◽  
David H. Jonassen ◽  
Robert A. Winholtz ◽  
Sanjeev K. Khanna
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Materials Science ◽  
Problem Based Learning ◽  
Engineering Curriculum ◽  
Intellectual Activity ◽  
Traditional Lecture ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Undergraduate Engineering ◽  
The Subject

Problem solving is the primary intellectual activity of mechanical engineers. Therefore, enhancing problem-solving skills is essential for preparing mechanical engineering students for the workplace. The most powerful method for enhancing problem-solving skills is problem-based learning (PBL). This paper presents the design and construction of a PBL-based course in materials science at the junior level. We examine the ability of the course based on problems to enable students to learn both fundamental knowledge of the subject matter and also problem solving skills and contrast it with outcomes in a traditional lecture based course. The issues and challenges faced and qualitative evidence is presented.

Using problem-based learning as an instructional approach in enhancing problem solving skills between engineering and business

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4.9) ◽  
pp. 174
Author(s):  
Zulida Abdul Kadir ◽  
Nor Hazana Abdullah ◽  
Rosmahalil Azrol Abdullah ◽  
Fadillah Ismail ◽  
Adibah Abdul Kadir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Business Students ◽  
Problem Based Learning ◽  
Interrupted Time Series ◽  
Instructional Tool ◽  
Student Centered ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Problem-based Learning (PBL) is one of an emerging student-centered approach in Malaysia. PBL has been proven to be one of the best approaches in helping students improve their soft skills. Complaints received from industry stating that many graduates are lacking of problem solving skills. Therefore, the objective of this study is to identify whether students’ problem solving skills could be improved using PBL as an instructional tool. A quasi-experimental interrupted time series design was used involving fifty students from business and engineering faculties in a premier Technical University in Malaysia. Students were given four treatments or problems and were assessed based on accuracy and quality of solutions of the problem given. Results show that business students enhanced their problem solving skills better than engineering students. The findings support previous findings on the effectiveness of PBL on problem solving skills. This finding substantiates the use of PBL as an effective instructional tool to improve students’ problem solving abilities. 

scholarly journals Methods to Study Enhancement of Problem Solving Skills in Engineering Students Through Cooperative Problem-Based Learning

2012 ◽  
Vol 56 ◽  
pp. 737-746 ◽  
Author(s):  
Syed Ahmad Helmi Syed Hassan ◽  
Khariyah Mohd Yusof ◽  
Shahrin Mohammad ◽  
Mohd Salleh Abu ◽  
Zaidatun Tasir
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Problem Based Learning ◽  
Problem Solving Skills

scholarly journals model for teaching basic engineering statistics in Slovenia

2006 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreja Drobnič Vidic
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Alternative Assessment ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Problem Based Learning ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Professional Careers ◽  
Engineering Statistics ◽  
Statistics Course ◽  
Main Factors ◽  
University Curricula

Statistics contents are commonly included in university curricula. Slovenian students in general have a lack of problem solving and application knowledge in mathematics and basic statistics. Moreover, engineering students have a lack of teamwork skills, needed in their professional careers. In order to reduce these shortcomings we designed a model for teaching basic statistics to engineering students. The problem-based learning (PBL) approach served as the basis for this model. We adapted it to the requirements of a basic engineering statistics course and to the environment of a Slovenian university. Four main factors of the model are described in detail: Problems, which enable the development of problem solving skills and application of knowledge; PBL teachers, who need to change their roles and activities in the instruction; aims of the students, and the alternative assessment. The article also makes reference to a pedagogical experiment, in which we verified this model.

scholarly journals Development of Learning Tools using Maples for Engineering Mathematics Subject

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 131
Author(s):  
Norlenda Mohd Noor ◽  
Hanifah Sulaiman ◽  
Zuraida Alwadood ◽  
Suhaila Abd Halim ◽  
Nurul Filzah Syamimi Wahid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Dimensional Space ◽  
Mathematical Problem ◽  
Learning Tools ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
3 Dimensional ◽  
Engineering Mathematics ◽  
The Subject

<p>Mathematics is one of the basic and core subject for engineering students. Learning mathematics helps in developing problem solving skills as the subject requires critical thinking. However, many students perceive mathematics as a difficult subject and eventually get poor result for the subject. In the institution under study, there were increases in failure rate for the subject for the past few semesters. Based on a preliminary study, it was found that 55 percent of engineering student claimed that they encountered difficulties in visualizing functions in 3-dimensional space, which is the main content for engineering calculus subject. This fact is very unsatisfactory as engineering students are expected to possess strong mathematical problem solving skills. In light of this, the objective of this research is to develop an interactive teaching and learning tools, so as to assist students in visualizing 3-dimensional space functions. The tool is intended to be used in teaching and learning process in classrooms and it is expected that the students’ understanding in the subject could be improved.</p>

Problem based learning (PBL) in Organic Chemistry

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 64-69
Author(s):  
Amina Alobaidi
Keyword(s):  
Organic Chemistry ◽  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Concept Mapping ◽  
Problem Based Learning ◽  
Student Centered ◽  
Student Centered Learning ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Educational Methods ◽  
Online Communications

Background: PBL appears to answer many concerns regarding educational methods, encourages students to look for new solutions to relevant problems using available knowledge and resources. The process expands students' critical thinking and problem solving skills while enhancing their creative capabilities Objective: To develop a PBL modules for teaching of organic chemistry. Methods: This module was developed for implementation in the curriculum of Chemistry Departments in Colleges of Sciences and Education. This is an innovations to be developed for increasing the wide-ranging abilities of students. A series of strategies which are involved in PBL, concept mapping and online communications, are suggested and discussed in terms of encouraging student-centered learning.  

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