Harmony in Engineering Curricula: Striking a Balance between Traditional, PBL and WIL Approaches to Learning and Teaching

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Gamble, Natalie
Patrick, Carol-Joy
Stewart, Rodney
Lemckert, Charles
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Llewellyn Mann, Adam Thompson & Prue Howard

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2008
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113512 bytes

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Yeppoon, Queensland, Australia

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Abstract

Traditional classroom-based teaching, problem-based learning (PBL) and Work Integrated Learning (WIL) are three commonly used approaches to Learning & Teaching (L&T) in universities. All these approaches have their place in engineering education, but it is important to recognise the advantages and disadvantages associated with each. As contemporary learning approaches grow in popularity in engineering curricula, it is critical for academic staff to ensure they strike a balance between providing students with the theoretical/conceptual knowledge they require for problem-solving, and the hands-on experience they need to ensure they are suitably educated and employable when they graduate. This paper provides an overview of Griffith University's revised Bachelor of Engineering (Civil Engineering) program, and demonstrates how academic staff at Griffith University have been striving to strike a balance between the provision of fundamental engineering knowledge and the practical application of that knowledge through a tiered approach to L&T. Students are progressively introduced to PBL, beginning in first year with case studies and small group tasks, and culminating in the final year with a capstone PBL subject as well as an independent WIL exercise that integrates their learning from preceding years.

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19th Annual Conference for the Australian Association for Engineering Education

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© 2008 UNESCO International Centre for Engineering Education (UICEE). The attached file is reproduced here in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. Use hypertext link to access the publisher's webpage.

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Science, Technology and Engineering Curriculum and Pedagogy

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