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Session Recap: Evolution of Design in Engineering Curriculum

bcwilson
NI Employee (retired)

The NIWeek Academic Forum brings together engineering and science educators to share knowledge and exciting advancements, as well as ways to meet challenges in engineering education. At this point, the challenges are well framed: cost, time, and space barriers make it difficult to provide hands-on learning experiences, but hands-on learning experiences are crucial for engaging and retaining students. What’s a modern engineering educator to do?


Attendees were in luck as today's Evolution of Design in Engineering Curriculum Panel Session brought together leading experts to discuss teaching and research challenges such as enrollment, engagement, retention, funding, and technology instruction.

Here are some highlights:

  • In the past, people learned engineering by “doing engineering.” Something was lost in translation during the rise of computers. However, hands-on design is now seeing a much-needed resurgence.
  • In a post-computer world it’s no longer commonplace to take apart a broken radio or television, so students don’t develop the same level of physical intuition. This makes it even more important to provide hands-on education starting with first-year courses.
  • Make incremental changes. Implement hands-on learning in elective courses and let the reaction of students be the driving force for implementing it across curriculums.
  • Find other like-minded advocates and don’t let incumbents become a deterrent. (aka, the times they are a-changin'.)

>>Check out all the amazing things students are doing with the NI education platform at the LabVIEW Student Community.