Using Problem-Based Learning to Enable Application of Foundation Engineering Knowledge in a Real-World Problem

Jean S. Larson; Kimberly Farnsworth; Leah S. Folkestad; Hamed Khodadadi Tirkolaei; Krista Glazewski; Willi Savenye

doi:10.1109/TALE.2018.8615329

Using Problem-Based Learning to Enable Application of Foundation Engineering Knowledge in a Real-World Problem

Jean S. Larson, Kimberly Farnsworth, Leah S. Folkestad, Hamed Khodadadi Tirkolaei, Krista Glazewski, Willi Savenye

Bio-Mediated and Bio-Inspired Geotechnics, Center for (CBBG)

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

This work describes an innovative approach to bridging the gap often found in undergraduate engineering courses of students' ability to apply existing content knowledge to real-world situations. The use of Problem Based Learning (PBL) was piloted in a senior-level Foundation Engineering course during the summer of 2018. During the module, groups were asked to solve a messy, real-world problem, collaborate, and simulate a real-world experience. This qualitative study revealed the need for prior knowledge in PBL and the benefits of having the professor model expected PBL behaviors. Students reported positive attitudes about experiencing an authentic problem in a safe environment prior to graduating and entering the workforce. Students were able to better collaborate, solve problems, and create a report. Results suggested ways to improve PBL experience in an engineering class and will be modified for implementation in the fall and future studies.

Original language	English (US)
Title of host publication	Proceedings of 2018 IEEE International Conference on Teaching, Assessment, and Learning for Engineering, TALE 2018
Editors	Mark J.W. Lee, Sasha Nikolic, Montserrat Ros, Jun Shen, Leon C. U. Lei, Gary K.W. Wong, Neelakantam Venkatarayalu
Publisher	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages	500-506
Number of pages	7
ISBN (Electronic)	9781538665220
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/TALE.2018.8615329
State	Published - Jul 2 2018
Event	2018 IEEE International Conference on Teaching, Assessment, and Learning for Engineering, TALE 2018 - Wollongong, Australia Duration: Dec 4 2018 → Dec 7 2018

Publication series

Name	Proceedings of 2018 IEEE International Conference on Teaching, Assessment, and Learning for Engineering, TALE 2018

Conference

Conference	2018 IEEE International Conference on Teaching, Assessment, and Learning for Engineering, TALE 2018
Country/Territory	Australia
City	Wollongong
Period	12/4/18 → 12/7/18

Keywords

civil engineering
foundation engineering
geotechnical engineering
problem-based learning
soil mechanics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Education
Artificial Intelligence
Computer Networks and Communications
Engineering (miscellaneous)

Access to Document

10.1109/TALE.2018.8615329

Cite this

Larson, J. S., Farnsworth, K., Folkestad, L. S., Tirkolaei, H. K., Glazewski, K., & Savenye, W. (2018). Using Problem-Based Learning to Enable Application of Foundation Engineering Knowledge in a Real-World Problem. In M. J. W. Lee, S. Nikolic, M. Ros, J. Shen, L. C. U. Lei, G. K. W. Wong, & N. Venkatarayalu (Eds.), Proceedings of 2018 IEEE International Conference on Teaching, Assessment, and Learning for Engineering, TALE 2018 (pp. 500-506). Article 8615329 (Proceedings of 2018 IEEE International Conference on Teaching, Assessment, and Learning for Engineering, TALE 2018). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1109/TALE.2018.8615329

Using Problem-Based Learning to Enable Application of Foundation Engineering Knowledge in a Real-World Problem. / Larson, Jean S.; Farnsworth, Kimberly; Folkestad, Leah S. et al.
Proceedings of 2018 IEEE International Conference on Teaching, Assessment, and Learning for Engineering, TALE 2018. ed. / Mark J.W. Lee; Sasha Nikolic; Montserrat Ros; Jun Shen; Leon C. U. Lei; Gary K.W. Wong; Neelakantam Venkatarayalu. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2018. p. 500-506 8615329 (Proceedings of 2018 IEEE International Conference on Teaching, Assessment, and Learning for Engineering, TALE 2018).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Larson, JS, Farnsworth, K, Folkestad, LS, Tirkolaei, HK, Glazewski, K & Savenye, W 2018, Using Problem-Based Learning to Enable Application of Foundation Engineering Knowledge in a Real-World Problem. in MJW Lee, S Nikolic, M Ros, J Shen, LCU Lei, GKW Wong & N Venkatarayalu (eds), Proceedings of 2018 IEEE International Conference on Teaching, Assessment, and Learning for Engineering, TALE 2018., 8615329, Proceedings of 2018 IEEE International Conference on Teaching, Assessment, and Learning for Engineering, TALE 2018, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., pp. 500-506, 2018 IEEE International Conference on Teaching, Assessment, and Learning for Engineering, TALE 2018, Wollongong, Australia, 12/4/18. https://doi.org/10.1109/TALE.2018.8615329

Larson JS, Farnsworth K, Folkestad LS, Tirkolaei HK, Glazewski K, Savenye W. Using Problem-Based Learning to Enable Application of Foundation Engineering Knowledge in a Real-World Problem. In Lee MJW, Nikolic S, Ros M, Shen J, Lei LCU, Wong GKW, Venkatarayalu N, editors, Proceedings of 2018 IEEE International Conference on Teaching, Assessment, and Learning for Engineering, TALE 2018. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. 2018. p. 500-506. 8615329. (Proceedings of 2018 IEEE International Conference on Teaching, Assessment, and Learning for Engineering, TALE 2018). doi: 10.1109/TALE.2018.8615329

Larson, Jean S. ; Farnsworth, Kimberly ; Folkestad, Leah S. et al. / Using Problem-Based Learning to Enable Application of Foundation Engineering Knowledge in a Real-World Problem. Proceedings of 2018 IEEE International Conference on Teaching, Assessment, and Learning for Engineering, TALE 2018. editor / Mark J.W. Lee ; Sasha Nikolic ; Montserrat Ros ; Jun Shen ; Leon C. U. Lei ; Gary K.W. Wong ; Neelakantam Venkatarayalu. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2018. pp. 500-506 (Proceedings of 2018 IEEE International Conference on Teaching, Assessment, and Learning for Engineering, TALE 2018).

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abstract = "This work describes an innovative approach to bridging the gap often found in undergraduate engineering courses of students' ability to apply existing content knowledge to real-world situations. The use of Problem Based Learning (PBL) was piloted in a senior-level Foundation Engineering course during the summer of 2018. During the module, groups were asked to solve a messy, real-world problem, collaborate, and simulate a real-world experience. This qualitative study revealed the need for prior knowledge in PBL and the benefits of having the professor model expected PBL behaviors. Students reported positive attitudes about experiencing an authentic problem in a safe environment prior to graduating and entering the workforce. Students were able to better collaborate, solve problems, and create a report. Results suggested ways to improve PBL experience in an engineering class and will be modified for implementation in the fall and future studies.",

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AB - This work describes an innovative approach to bridging the gap often found in undergraduate engineering courses of students' ability to apply existing content knowledge to real-world situations. The use of Problem Based Learning (PBL) was piloted in a senior-level Foundation Engineering course during the summer of 2018. During the module, groups were asked to solve a messy, real-world problem, collaborate, and simulate a real-world experience. This qualitative study revealed the need for prior knowledge in PBL and the benefits of having the professor model expected PBL behaviors. Students reported positive attitudes about experiencing an authentic problem in a safe environment prior to graduating and entering the workforce. Students were able to better collaborate, solve problems, and create a report. Results suggested ways to improve PBL experience in an engineering class and will be modified for implementation in the fall and future studies.

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Using Problem-Based Learning to Enable Application of Foundation Engineering Knowledge in a Real-World Problem

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

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