Sivachandran Chandrasekaran

The role of the facilitator in a project/design based learning environment

The Project Oriented Design Based Learning (PODBL) is a teaching and learning approach (TLA) that is based on engineering design activities undertaken during a project. PODBL encourages independent learning and a deep approach to student learning outcomes. The Centre for Advanced Design in Engineering Training (CADET) is a new engineering building with cutting edge technology facilities at Deakin University. It acts as a catalyst for a pedagogical change in the way that Engineering is delivered. This paper is focused on the role of the facilitator in a project/design based learning environment and it also looks in to appropriate staff development training for a project/design based learning environment.

Evaluation of student learning outcomes in fourth year engineering mechatronics through design based learning curriculum

This paper focuses on evaluation of student learning outcomes in fourth year engineering mechatronics through design based learning curriculum. The purpose of all engineering degrees is to provide strong grounding with principles of engineering science and technology. By learning engineering methods and approaches in an academic environment, graduates can enter the world of work and tackle real world problems with innovation and creativity. In many cases, academic staff are responsible for driving and setting high expectations in their classrooms. Sometimes staff are expected to teach subjects outside their expertise. This research paper is concerned with evaluating student learning outcomes through feedback sought from students on design-based learning approach.

Evaluating Engineering Students' Perceptions: The Impact of Team-Based Learning Practices in Engineering Education

The focus of this research study is to evaluate engineering students’ perceptions on team-based learning practices in engineering education course. Team based learning (TBL) is an effective approach, which emphasizes active learning in a collaborative task. In an engineering curriculum, students are encouraged to develop skills around TBL that helps to enhance graduate employability opportunities. This paper presents an exploratory analysis of evaluating engineering students’ perceptions in practising TBL at a postgraduate study level. The cohort of students that participated in this study were primarily postgraduate engineering students at Deakin University. Around 38 participants responded to the online survey questions on TBL in a particular postgraduate unit. The positive experiences and expectations from the participants’ perceptions established that TBL enhances student-learning outcomes with possible pre-acquired knowledge on team based learning. The overall responses from this research study suggest that students require pre-and post training on TBL practices in order to enhance the curriculum learning and teaching towards graduate employability readiness.

Aligning Engineering Design Education with Accreditation Requirements

This paper focuses on aligning engineering design with accreditation requirements in engineering education. To be an accredited curriculum, education programs must incorporate graduate attributes required by program accrediting professional bodies. Graduate attributes are the required benchmarks for students to attain their specific qualities and abilities within a higher education institute. Most higher education institutions identify a list of expected graduate attributes or outcomes that are incorporated in their educational programs to be accredited by an accrediting professional body such as Engineers Australia (EA), Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) in the United States, and the European Accreditation of Engineering Programs (EUR-ACE) in Europe. This paper evaluates the program educational objectives, student outcomes, assessment methods and evaluation of different undergraduate engineering programs. It assesses how engineering design is practiced and incorporated as an important element of the graduate attributes through project oriented design based learning curriculum aligned with professional accreditation requirements.

Blended approach for Peer-to-Peer learning in engineering education

Peer learning encourages students to interact with each other to attain educational goals. Peer learning encompasses the principles of self-directed and student centred learning and in essence with these principles a design/project based learning process was implemented in a third year engineering unit. The learning process incorporates a design thinking process, which promotes interpersonal interaction between peers and staff. The learning incorporates a blended environment with cloud and located learning activities. This paper discusses the learning process and the use of technology resource to promote peer learning.