Integrated projects: Positioning design as the underlying ingredient towards integrating subject areas within an undergraduate programme - a case study
Year: 2013
Editor: John Lawlor, Ger Reilly, Robert Simpson, Michael Ring, Ahmed Kovacevic, Mark McGrath, William Ion, David Tormey, Erik Bohemia, Chris McMahon, Brian Parkinson
Author: Sivaloganathan, Sangarapillai; Shahin, Tamer
Series: E&PDE
Institution: 1: The Petroleum Institute, United Arab Emirates; 2: United Arab Emirates University, United Arab Emirates
Section: Projects
Page(s): 320-326
ISBN: 978-1-904670-42-1
Abstract
This paper provides a case study on how design as a process can be used as an underlying foundation to link and integrate several subject areas. The paper discusses the process in which learning outcomes from different subject areas are identified and the creation and execution of an âintegrated projectâ is delivered to students in order to improve the studentsâ understanding these outcomes, both individually and holistically. Assessment of the learning outcomes of the course before and after the introduction of such an integrated project is presented as well as a detailed account of the results and experiences of both the students work and academics observations. Also, observations on increased studentsâ engagement is highlighted and lessons learned are documented. The case study was a miniproject given within the âIntroduction to CAMâ course, which is typically a course that does not cover other subject areas as part of its curriculum. The main subject areas covered for the integrated project case study included but were not limited to: geometric modelling, CAD, NC manufacture, machining, industrial design, entrepreneurship, and project management; all under the umbrella of a design process to design and build an artifact. Both a quantitative and qualitative approach is used to analyse the outcomes of such an integrated project and the results are extremely encouraging.
Keywords: Design activity model, bezier curves, NC machining, integrating projects, learning outcomes