ERIC Number: EJ936265
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Aug
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0957-7572
EISSN: N/A
Strengthening the Link between Theory and Practice in Teaching Design Engineering: An Empirical Study on a New Approach
Tempelman, E.; Pilot, A.
International Journal of Technology and Design Education, v21 n3 p261-275 Aug 2011
In 2007, the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering of the Delft University of Technology introduced a new bachelor program. Based on theories of learning and instruction three design principles were used to develop an approach that aims to make it easier for students to bridge the gap between theoretical design engineering courses and practical design projects. To investigate whether the new program is successful in this respect, we selected a representative combination of one course and one design project, analysed grades, sent out questionnaires and interviewed teaching staff. The unique change of all three course years at once, as opposed to sequential introduction, allowed us to establish a control group and obtain precise results. By repeating our studies 1 year later, we further enhanced the reliability of our findings. We conclude that our approach indeed strengthens the link between theory and practice, and have reason to be positive about the research method adopted. Furthermore, we identified several barriers that must be overcome for such an approach to become successful, and can now give additional recommendations for course and/or program revisions in teaching design engineering at academic level. (Contains 11 footnotes, 2 tables, and 2 figures.)
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Learning Theories, Control Groups, Instructional Design, Theory Practice Relationship, Engineering, Teaching Methods, Engineering Education, Student Projects, Barriers, Technology, Technology Education, Design, Questionnaires, Interviews, College Curriculum, Curriculum Evaluation, Curriculum Implementation
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Netherlands
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A