Problem Based Learningin First Year Programs

ENGI 150, Rice University

Ann SaterbakRice University

Course Objectives for ENGI 150

• Students are better equipped to define and solve engineering problems.

• Students improve their communication skills.

• Students appreciate the complexities and high level of integration required to solve real engineering challenges.

• Students become familiar with several areas of engineering.

PBL = Problem-Based Learning

• PBL cases focus on unsolved problems.– NAE Grand Challenges are inspiration.

• Posed problems are open-ended and have many answers.– Pedagogical focus on process (not content)

knowledge.

• Student-centered learning: students construct knowledge to solve problems.– Students lead teams.

Course Logistics

• Course capped at 24 first-year students.• Class divided into three PBL teams.

– Teams start meeting 2nd week of course.

• Each 75 min class had– 30 min lecture/discussion led by instructor– 45 min PBL team meetings.

• Student teams solved 3 PBL cases. – Students ran meetings and developed solutions.– Instructor did minimal facilitation.

Student Deliverables

• For each PBL case, each team prepared– 20 min oral presentation

• Oral presentation coaching through Engin. College

– 10-15 pg written report

• Five homeworks and two exams– Covered lecture material

• One Teaching Assistant assigned– PBL team facilitation– Grading

PBL Cases

• PBL cases developed engineering skills of– Evaluation– Modeling– Design

• Example PBL cases– Environmental Impact of Switch to Digital TV– Evaluation of Sources for Electric Power – Model of Energy Loss through Dorm Windows– AriceptTM Drug Delivery

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Lecture Topics

• Grand Challenges• Introduction to PBL• Teamwork• Search tools• Engineering problem

solving• Graphs, tables• Oral reports• Written reports

• Brainstorming• Engineering design• Engineering ethics• Rate processes• Accounting• Accounting for mass• Accounting for energy • Engineering careers

Struggles After First Offerings& Future Plans

• Students come in with a wide range of skills.– Team assignment is difficult.

• Most students unfamiliar with non-Google searches for technical information.– Offer tutorial sessions.

• Students struggled to write clear technical documents.

• Students enjoyed PBL cases that impacted them directly.