Knowledge Base Repository
In addition to research papers, the Design Society is developing several valuable resources for those interested in the study of design. These include a repository of PhD theses, a library of case studies and transcripts of design activities, and an archive of our newsletters. Please note that these resources are accessible exclusively to Design Society members.
REGGIO EMILIA ENGINEERING EDUCATION
Vignoli, Matteo; D'Onghia, Francesco
Type:
Year:
2015
Editor:
Christian Weber, Stephan Husung, Gaetano Cascini, Marco CantaMESsa, Dorian Marjanovic, Francesca Montagna
Author:
Series:
ICED
Institution:
University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy
Section:
Innovation and Creativity
Page(s):
297-308
ISBN:
978-1-904670-71-1
ISSN:
2220-4334
Abstract:
How do we prepare future engineers to face 21th century challenges?This paper confronts the issue of what it really means to be an engineer and how to design a learning experience that influence the process of formation of one s identity, as a professional and as a human being. In this effort we have been deeply inspired by a pedagogy directed to preschool and primary education of Reggio Emilia (Italy): Reggio Emilia Approach. Starting from 2010, Project-based Learning was introduced in a MS&E capstone master degree class. New practices inspired by Reggio Emilia Approach were progressively implemented from 2011 to 2013. Every year, students completed a formal evaluation survey and answered to semi-structured interviews. The study reveals that there has been a significant increase of student interest toward the discipline. Students also showed to consider themselves more creative and confident about their capabilities. This experience shows that it is not enough to design the education of the engineer, but we must consider as equally important the education of the human being and of the citizen, by focussing on relations, on collectivity and on participation.
Keywords:
