Using "system sensing" during the implementation of a new mechatronics engineering curriculum

Type of content
Publisher's DOI/URI
Thesis discipline
Degree name
Publisher
University of Canterbury. School of Educational Studies and Leadership
University of Canterbury. Mechanical Engineering
University of Canterbury. AVC Research Office
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Language
Date
2010
Authors
O'Steen, B.
Brogt, E.
Chen, X.Q.
Chase, Geoff
Abstract

“System sensing” [1], or a feedback loop, has been integrated into the implementation of a new mechatronics engineering curriculum at the University of Canterbury through a sustained, three-year collaboration between engineering lecturers and academic developers. Data were collected each year from the first cohort of students and lecturers through focus groups, course evaluations, specifically designed surveys, and observations. The data were analysed by the academic developers and results and recommendations were fed back to the engineering lecturers so that they could adjust the curriculum, the teaching and the assessments to better meet the goals they had in mind when designing the new curriculum such as: students engaged in significant design projects at every year and a strong connection with industry [2]. Positive outcomes from this approach included statements by mechatronics graduates that they had obtained core skill sets in both mechanical and electrical instead of an initial lack of identity as “neither mechanical nor electrical.”

Description
Virtual presentation 6pages
Citation
O'Steen, B., Brogt, E., Chen, X.Q., Chase, J.G. (2010) Using "system sensing" during the implementation of a new mechatronics engineering curriculum. Orlando, FL, USA: 3rd International Multi-Conference on Engineering and Technological Innovation (IMETI 2010), 29 Jun-2 Jul 2010.
Keywords
academic development, curriculum development, engineering education, mechatronics education
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
Field of Research::13 - Education::1302 - Curriculum and Pedagogy::130212 - Science, Technology and Engineering Curriculum and Pedagogy
Field of Research::09 - Engineering::0913 - Mechanical Engineering::091399 - Mechanical Engineering not elsewhere classified
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