A Unified and Integrated Approach to Teaching a Two-Course Sequence in Robotics Engineering

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 748-758 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taskin Padir ◽  
◽  
Gregory S. Fischer ◽  
Sonia Chernova ◽  
Michael A. Gennert
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Education ◽  
Computer Science ◽  
Student Satisfaction ◽  
Student Learning ◽  
Mechanical Engineering ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Worcester Polytechnic Institute ◽  
Engineering Program ◽  
Curricular Content ◽  
Approach To Teaching

This paper presents the details of the curricular content developed for a two-course robotics sequence within the undergraduate Robotics Engineering program at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The approach focuses on teaching a unified robotics curriculum, incorporating the foundational concepts from computer science, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering, in an integrative manner by emphasizing the whole systemdesign. Outcomes include high student satisfaction, enhanced student learning and a broad engineering education to meet the needs of the growing robotics industry.

Blended Learning Through Integrating Lego Mindstorms NXT Robots in Engineering Education

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Stiehm ◽  
Larissa Köttgen ◽  
Sebastian Thelen ◽  
Mario Weisskopf ◽  
Florian Welter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blended Learning ◽  
Engineering Education ◽  
Computer Science ◽  
Flipped Classroom ◽  
Mechanical Engineering ◽  
Learning Approaches ◽  
Two Stage ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
Second Stage ◽  
Lego Mindstorms

The current program for Mechanical Engineering at the RWTH Aachen University in Germany has more than 1500 students enrolled. Lego Mindstorms’ NXT Robots are fully integrated in the current Engineering Education stream to help students practically apply theoretical concepts. The courses Communication and Organizational Development (KOE) and Computer Science in Mechanical Engineering 1 (INFO1), provided by the interdisciplinary institute cluster IMA/ZLW, follow a newly-designed “blended learning” approach. This institute cluster is composed of the Institute of Information Management in Mechanical Engineering (IMA) and the Center for Learning and Knowledge Management (ZLW). These institutes are currently within the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at RWTH Aachen University. Two years ago, the course KOE was redesigned and redirected towards a “Flipped Classroom” concept by initiating online lectures and a discussion class. Thus, the tutorial class ROBOFLEX as part of the KOE curriculum is introduced. ROBOFLEX is a two-stage business simulation that enables students to experience realistic virtual communication within computer science and engineering disciplines. Students are divided into groups of about thirty people, and become entrepreneurs and founders of start-ups that specialize in the production of innovative robots for the automotive industry. They create these robots using Lego Mindstorms’ NXT. Since its conception, the course INFO1 has been accompanied by a lab component, where students apply the concepts taught in class in a team-focused software design project. In 2011, the lab concept was changed into a two-stage robotics programming project based on Lego Mindstorms’ NXT Robots and the Java programming language. In the first stage, students practice the fundamental programming concepts that are presented in the lecture by completing a series of exercises in a self-paced manner. The second stage focuses on applied problem-solving. In this stage, pairs of students apply the previously-learned programming concepts to program a “pick-and-place” robot that is equipped with various sensors. The integration of Lego Mindstorms’ NXT Robots into these courses also join the concepts of the two described courses. While KOE delivers organizational and communicational skills, INFO1 provides technical and domain-specific skills. Here, the robots represent the connecting element. The problem-based second stage of INFO1 benefits from the skills that are taught in KOE. Because INFO1 is scheduled in the term following the KOE, it offers a direct opportunity for students to transfer the KOE skill set from the lecture where it was taught into a new context that is primarily concerned with a different subject. Both classes have been evaluated and developed independently in the past. Since last year’s introduction of ROBOFLEX in KOE, synergies between both lectures are becoming a main component of their further developments. In this paper the recent developments in both courses will be compared and discussed. Specific measurable effects concerning learning capability, motivation and learning endurance are being portrayed by using blended learning approaches.

Engineering Education Through Degree-Long Project: A New Project Based Learning Approach

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jay Kim ◽  
Teik Lim ◽  
Randall Allemang ◽  
Bob Rost
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Education ◽  
Mechanical Engineering ◽  
Undergraduate Curriculum ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Abstract Concepts ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Formula Sae ◽  
Race Car ◽  
Engineering Program ◽  
The University

A new pedagogical approach called engineering education through degree-long project has been implemented in the mechanical engineering program at the University of Cincinnati as a part of the NSF CCLI project. The approach integrates selected courses across the undergraduate curriculum of the mechanical engineering program using a degree-long project (DLP) as the theme. Design of Formula SAE® race car was employed as the first DLP. In each course in the sequence, the concept of the DLP approach and the role of the assignment in the course in the overall DLP are explained to students. In early-year courses, assignments are simple problems designed to show how abstract concepts are eventually applied to engineering tasks. In later-year courses, more involved design projects are used aiming at nurturing the ability to solve open-ended engineering problems. In conducting the approach, the most difficult part was developing an interesting and challenging problem which is relevant to practical applications, especially in early year courses. Findings through student evaluations and a stake-holders workshop on the improvement of the approach are discussed.

scholarly journals EXPERIENCE AND REFLECTION ON AN INTEGRATED MATHEMATICS CURRICULUM FOR AN ENGINEERING ARTICULATION PROGRAM

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.W. Brennan ◽  
K. Johnston ◽  
S. Li ◽  
N. Nelson ◽  
A. Nygren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Education ◽  
Integrated Curriculum ◽  
Mathematics Curriculum ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Teaching Mathematics ◽  
Undergraduate Engineering ◽  
Undergraduate Engineering Education ◽  
Approach To Teaching ◽  
Integrated Mathematics ◽  
Logical Extension

In this paper, we provide an overview of an integrated mathematics curriculum that is a key element of an engineering articulation program (polytechnic to university). This integrated approach to teaching mathematics is a logical extension of the integrated curriculum models that have been gaining popularity for undergraduate engineering education since the 1960’s, and is well suited to the fast-paced nature of an engineering articulation program. We provide background on the engineering articulation program and the integrated mathematics curriculum, and provide reflections on the implementation of this approach.

USA: Michigan State University

1983 ◽  
Vol 142 (4) ◽  
pp. 333-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnold Werner
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Modern Medicine ◽  
Great Emphasis ◽  
Michigan State University ◽  
State University ◽  
History Taking ◽  
Curricular Content ◽  
Approach To Teaching ◽  
Teaching Psychiatry

SummaryProblems in psychiatric and psychosocial education arise from the absence of agreement on curricular content, failure to emphasize observable skill development, and the ambivalent views on psychosocial material found in modern medicine. The curriculum for medical students presented here emphasizes an integrated approach to teaching psychiatry and psychosocial material. Great emphasis is placed on interviewing and history-taking as well as on problem-solving. Specific courses in development, psychiatry and ageing are prescribed. Preclinical education in psychiatry emphasizes a bio-psycho-social view of mental disorder.

Current Educational Issues in Mechanical Engineering Programs

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Nazari ◽  
H. R. Hamidzadeh
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Education ◽  
Mechanical Engineering ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Engineering Programs ◽  
Engineering Program ◽  
Future Developments ◽  
Community Expectations ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Professional Self ◽  
Competency Assessments

It is envisaged that future developments in mechanical engineering point towards an ever increasing interaction among the various branches of the discipline and science, and, even more so between social demands and technology. In this paper a thorough consideration is given to the effects of various values for development and education of new mechanical engineers. Furthermore, the essential issues such as globalization of industry, commerce and the professions, increased community expectations, understanding of ethical conduct and responsibility toward society, and other challenges and opportunities for mechanical engineering education are presented. In addition, the need for effective professional self-regulation and activities such as accreditation and competency assessments are discussed for a viable mechanical engineering program.

Perlaksanaan Kaedah Pembelajaran Berasaskan Projek dalam Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran Kaedah Fiqh

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 14-23
Author(s):  
Mohd Aderi Che Noh ◽  
Normurni Mohamad ◽  
Adibah Hasanah Abd Halim ◽  
Absha Atiah Abu Bakar
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Mechanical Engineering ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Narrative Form ◽  
Learning Methods ◽  
Engineering Program ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Interview Methods

This study aims to see the implementation of project based learning methods (PBL) implemented by lecturers in the Science, Technology and Engineering P&P processes in Islam as an effort to enhance students' understanding in the Fiqh Method. Respondents in this study were students of second semester, Diploma of Mechanical Engineering program, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Politeknik Banting. Observation and interview methods are used for data collection purposes. The data were analyzed descriptively and presented in narrative form. The findings show that PBL activity is a fun and enjoyable P&P activity for students. Abstrak Kajian  ini  bertujuan  untuk  melihat  perlaksanaan  kaedah  pembelajaran  berasaskan  projek  (PBL)  yang dilaksanakan  oleh  pensyarah  dalam  proses  P&P Sains,  Teknologi  dan  kejuruteraan  dalam  Islam  sebagai usaha  meningkatkan  kefahaman  pelajar  pelajar  dalam  tajuk  Kaedah Fiqh.  Responden  dalam  kajian  ini adalah   terdiri   daripada   pelajar   semester   dua   progran   Diploma   Kejuruteraan   Mekanikal,   Jabatan Kejuruteraan  Mekanikal,  Politeknik  Banting.  Kaedah  pemerhatian  dan  temu  bual  digunakan  bagi  tujuan pengutipan data. Data dianalisis secara deskriptif dan dipersembahkan dalam bentuk naratif. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan aktiviti PBL merupakan aktiviti P&P yang disukai dan menyeronokkan bagi para pelajar.

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