Conference paper 2015

How do engineering students develop practical competencies during a period of industrial placement? - Students' perceptions

6th Research in Engineering Education Symposium: Translating Research into Practice, REES 2015
Conference
Abstract

This paper explores engineering students' perceptions of developing practical competencies as experienced in their industrial placements. In addition, it discusses the criticisms in the literature on Problem Based Learning, Project Based Learning and Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate in relation to the evaluation of effective learning and teaching during placements. The paper goes on to discuss a study which examines how undergraduate engineering students develop practical competencies during their industrial placements. A phenomenological research approach is adopted using in-depth interviews and document analysis. The research findings from this PhD study will contribute to the knowledge, theory and practice for the students, the industries and the institutions of higher education as students' practical competencies are developed and graduate employability rises. In conclusion, this study explores students' experiences of developing practical competencies during industrial placements. Hence, the study should be able to contribute to a set of evidence-based guidelines for higher education institutions and industry.

Keywords

Author Keywords

Not provided

Index Keywords

Engineering education Students Project based learning education Engineering research Theory and practice Problem based learning Higher education institutions Effective learning In-depth interviews Undergraduate engineering students Institutions of higher educations
Author Affiliations
Aston University, Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom
Funding & Acknowledgements
No funding information
References 10 References
1 Impact of Work Placements on the Development of Transferable Skills in Engineering, (2009)
2 Aset, (2009)
3 Engineering Education Transformation and Innovation, (2013)
4 Active Learning Creating Excitement in the Classroom, (1991)
5 Bridges, David, Transferable Skills: A philosophical perspective, Studies in Higher Education, 18, 1, pp. 43-51, (1993)
6 Cte and Work Based Learning Eric Digest Columbus Oh Eric Clearing House on Adult Career and Vocational Education, (2003)
7 Pbl Across Cultures, (2013)
8 Vet and Practice Based Learning Current Models of Integration International Conference on Work Integrated Learning, (2010)
9 Crawley, Edward F., Creating the CDIO syllabus, a universal template for engineering education, Proceedings - Frontiers in Education Conference, 2, (2002)
10 Proceedings of the 7th International Cdio Conference, (2011)
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Document Identifiers
  • EID 2-s2.0-84962642297
  • Language English