Describes an engineering design course that is taught at the postsecondary level but can be adapted for secondary education. It presents the steps in the design process and illustrates, using a matrix, the tradeoffs necessary in design. (JOW)

The ability to develop new problem descriptions, called problem restructuring in architectural design, has been related to creativity. Looking at human creativity through problem restructuring is likely to offer more research results and questions and can benefit understanding of the role of creativity in professional practice and related decision…

Presents a three-year experiment in integrating technical editing students into a multidisciplinary engineering design project that developed several way of helping students apply classroom learning to practical problems. Discusses how engineering students formed Integrated Product Teams and the technical editing students provided editorial…

Reports the results of a pilot study in a senior paper science and engineering class of an innovative instructional method designed to foster student problem solving and in-depth learning of material, namely student peer teaching. Reviews literature focusing on active learning methods and describes the method for student peer teaching. (Author/SAH)

Discusses successes and failures in project-organized education during the last 10 years in the Electronics Department at the Engineering College of Copenhagen. Describes elements of successful problem solving and practical experiences and problems in project organization. (JRH)

Argues that the changes in the context of engineering requires new approaches within the curriculum and by promoting active learning and encouraging students to experiment and be more creative. eLearning is one of an important number of strategies for achieving the paradigm shift that is required. (Contains 14 references.) (Author/YDS)

Applications in engineering, science and technology within undergraduate programmes can be difficult for students to understand. In this paper, new results are presented which go some way to demonstrate and explain the problems faced by students in linking mathematical models to real-world applications. The study is based on student responses to…

A hands-on project was developed to educate new chemical engineering students about the types of problems chemical engineers solve and to improve student enthusiasm for studying chemical engineering. In this project, students studied the phenomenon of carbonated beverages going flat. The project was implemented in 2003 and 2004 at Kansas State…

Four papers from a project concerning information-processing characterizations of the knowledge and processes involved in design are presented. The project collected and analyzed verbal protocols from instructional designers, architects, and mechanical engineers. A framework was developed for characterizing the problem spaces of design that…

Back-of-the-envelope problems call for approximate calculations of quantities that can be related to information in a person's knowledge but are not solved precisely. These problems provide an opportunity for the study of processes and the role of general knowledge in ill-defined problem solving. Subjects with advanced and intermediate knowledge…

Views the teaching of materials as content oriented, while teaching design is process oriented. Advocates the integration of design teaching with materials teaching through design problems in which the materials component plays a large part. (GS)

This bibliography and paper provide a brief overview of empirical studies that attempt to apply the insights of modern psychology to architecture. Items are discussed under headings of scientific research, methodology, perceptual studies, the use of space, interpersonal distance, personality development, learning, decision-related research, and…

Reported is a study in which teaching objectives for the use of a case method in engineering instruction were formulated from the literature, and rated by 30 engineering professors acquainted with the method. There was agreement that the case method aims at (1) coveying knowledge of what engineers do and how they work, (2) developing skill in…

Describes the basic concept of university-based innovation centers, which are sponsored by the NSF, to involve the students in the process of innovation and entrepreneurship. Gives numerous examples of success where the final outcome has been a new product or even a new company. (GA)

Discusses the use of Problem-Solving Laboratory (PSL) courses for giving engineering students authentic design experience and knowledge of how to go about solving real world problems. (SL)