Effectiveness of problem based learning in a materials science course in the engineering curriculum

工程-其他(59)解决问题是工程师的主要智力活动，提高问题解决能力对于工科学生为未来工作做好准备是必不可少的。此外，新的教学方法，如基于问题的学习(PBL)，已被证明在改善学生整体学习方面非常有效。通过这个项目，正在为材料科学课程开发PBL活动，并在机械工程专业的本科课程中实施。以问题为基础的课程的学习结果与传统的以专题为基础的课程所获得的结果进行了比较。工程课程通常在顶石设计课程中包括类似PBL的活动；然而，在这个项目中，PBL被引入到大二水平，以激励学习并提高学生解决不良结构问题的能力。这个项目的结果正在通过定性和定量的方法进行严格的评估。项目成果正在通过网站、期刊文章和为那些可能对在本科课程中实施PBL技术感兴趣的工程学教师举办的研讨会来传播。

Engineering - Other (59)Problem solving is the primary intellectual activity of engineers and enhancing problem-solving is essential for preparing engineering students for their future workplace. In addition, new pedagogies such as problem-based learning (PBL) have been shown to be highly effective in improving overall student learning. Through this project, PBL activities are being developed for a material science course and are being implemented in an undergraduate course for mechanical engineering students. Learning outcomes from the PBL-based course are being compared to those obtained in a traditional topics-based course. Engineering curricula typically include PBL-like activities in the capstone design course; however, in this project, PBL is being introduced at the sophomore level to motivate learning and improve students' ability to solve ill-structured problems. The results from this project are being rigorously evaluated by both qualitative and quantitative means. Project results are being disseminated through a website, journal articles, and workshops for engineering faculty who may be interested in implementing PBL techniques in their undergraduate courses.