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Using PBL to integrate environment related learning outcomes in

established engineering courses

Dr Colin Fitzpatrick,Dept of Electronic & Computer

Engineering, University of Limerick, Ireland

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Presentation Outline

• The Changing Responsibilities of Engineers

• IEI Accreditation• Problem Based Learning• Some Problems• Grades & Feedback• Conclusion

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The Changing Responsibilities of an Engineer

• The Engineer should consider the protection of a client’s or employer’s interests his first professional obligation and therefore should avoid every act contrary to this duty”– American Institute of Electrical Engineers

1912

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The Changing Responsibilities of an Engineer

• Promote the principles and practices of sustainable development and the needs of present and future generations.

• Strive to ensure that engineering projects for which they are responsible will have minimal adverse effects on the environment, on the health and safety of the public and on social and cultural structures.

• Place responsibility for the welfare, health and safety of the community at all times before responsibility to the profession, to sectional interests, or to other engineers– Engineers Ireland 2005

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IEI Accreditation Report 2005

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Electronic Engineering

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Electronic Engineering

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Electronic Engineering

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IEI Accreditation Report 2009

• The core "Engineer as a Professional" module [EE4003] was felt by the Panel to be an excellent addition to the programme since the last accreditation panel visit, and its teamwork development activity in particular was felt to be a model of good practice that could be promulgated as such within the sector.

• The Electronics & the Environment module [ET4407] was also noted as a very positive addition to the programme, although not contributing to the Programme Outcomes for every student on the programme because of its position as an elective module.

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New BE Electronic Engineering

Semester 6 Semester 7 Semester 8

EE4317Active Circuits 4

EE4407ASICs 1

EE4408ASICs 2

ET4224Sensors &

Actuators

EE4607Telecommunications

Systems 1

CE4008VLSI DSP Systems

EE4816Signals &

Systems 1

ET4407 Electronics &

Environment

EE4328Power Electronics

EE4617Communications

Theory 1

EE4005 Electrical Power

Systems

EE4117Electromagnetics

EE4218Control 2

EE4907Final Year Project 1

EE4908Final Year Project 2

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Syllabus

• 1. Environmental Forces in the Electronics Industry -Market Driven -Sustainability Driven - Legislation Driven

• 2. Design for Environment (ECO Design), -Life Cycle Chain Analysis, -Design for Recycling -Reverse Manufacturing, -Reverse Logistics -End of Life Solutions

• 3. Green Materials, -Lead Free Interconnects, -Halogen Free Materials, -All other materials outlined in WEEE and ROHS, -Packaging

• 4. Sustainability, -Energy Efficiency, -Alternative Power Supply• 5. Case Studies discussing such issues as Environmental

Challanges in the Semiconductor Industry, Producer Responsibility in Electronics Industry & Sustainable Trade in the Electronics Sector of Emerging Economies among other topics.

• 6. Invited Talks -Seminars By The Local Electronics Industry On Environmental Challenges In Their Company.

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How PBL is Applied

• The module is divided into weekly problems posted on the module blog

• The students must solve in groups of three or four • Each group has a chair, a scribe and a timekeeper • During this session they must

– Name facts– Clarify what they think the problem is– Brainstorm ideas based on prior knowledge– Identify what they do not know (learning issues)– Specify an action plan and assign tasks

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How PBL is Applied

• In the second session of the week they share information and resources, and peer-teach their proposed solution to the problem

• This period is crucial to make sure that they what they are working on is relevant

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How PBL is Applied

• In the final session of the week a representative of each group makes a presentation to the class on their solution to the problem

• The students also have an opportunity to ask questions and discuss

• The lecturer gives an overview of the topic and feedback on the presentations

• They must write an individual blog entry on the problem

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Capstone Project

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Capstone Project

• Thin client system based out of the community center and or library. This is energy and materials efficient and also of social value.

• Thin clients are less attractive to thieves.• Thin clients available for home use if required after

training has been completed.• Don’t just roll out a machine for everyone, make sure that

the hardware is available but that it is used efficiently• Thick clients also available for home use if need is justified• System of accountability and responsibility for hardware

needed

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Capstone Project

• Machines should be free but have a small rental / subscription to make sure that they are being used. If they are not being used then they can be handed back.

• Detailed and comprehensive training programs required based on demographics

• The whole area must be broadband enabled either through wireless or fixed line

• Long term commitment to the project maintenance required.

• The social and economic cost of not doing the project outweighs the economic cost of undertaking it.

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Capstone Project

• An area should be established to allow small businesses become established which can take advantage of the excellent IT infrastructure

• Violent and other anti-social websites should be kept outside a firewall

• Residents should be part of the management and operational running of the project

• Use the most energy efficient servers available (several spec’s given)

• Develop a website on local environmental / ecological issues

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Capstone Project

• Promote the internet as a means of reducing car dependency

• Must establish a philosophy of repairing all equipment where possible

• All upgraded equipment must be reused elsewhere• Develop an on-line local newsletter• Recycling should be a key part of all operations• Choice of operating systems should be available. Open

source is cheaper but for training purposes Microsoft should also be available due to its dominant role in industry.

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Capstone Project

• All printers should be eco labeled and print double sided using recycled paper.

• All monitors should have LED backlights

• All new buildings should have the best in environmental technology to showpiece environmental thinking

• All lighting in the training / drop in centres should be energy efficient

• Servers should be powered using renewable energy

• Marketing campaign should surround the scheme to create a positive image of the area in the national media.

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Capstone Project

• The community should be given the opportunity to air their views on how the scheme should evolve over time.

• The plan must be adaptable.• The scheme should tie in with Computer Science and

Engineering Departments at local Third Level colleges.• Training should be more than just ECDL and typing, should

have continuation courses for web development, databases, programming, computer games development, CAD etc…

• Targets set for increasing the level of IT skills, increasing IT related employment and increasing literacy and numeracy.

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Grades

2007 (PBL with Continuous Assessment) v 2006 (Terminal Exam)

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5

10

15

20

25

30

35

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A1 A2 B1 B2 B3 C1 C2 C3 D1 D2 F

Grade

%ag

e o

f cla

ss

2007

2006

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Feedback

• “I believe the PBL approach teaches the material more thoroughly. I feel this is because we were required to research the topics and then create a paper based on this research. Working in groups was helpful as this allowed us to confer with each other and learn more, this also improved our team skills. I believe there will be a longer retention of the material due to the PBL approach. Personally I prefer the PBL approach.”

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Feedback

• “Found it to be much better. I found I learned far more using this approach.”

• “This method is a lot easier to understand as we are putting the information learned directly into use so it remains more active for longer”

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Feedback

• “The module is an interesting one and it is also taught in a good way. By sending us off to research required material ourselves I feel the information acquired through this process definitely stays with the student, more so than studying notes that have been provided for you to study by lecturers in other modules”

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Conclusion

• Cover significantly more material• Students are much more engaged• Students produce work of a much

higher quality• It’s more enjoyable for me