Meeting the Needs of UK Industry in Engineering Higher Education: Project‐Based Learning Review

April 2, 2010 - PRLog -- (Cambridge, MA)—Following the release of The Royal Academy of Engineering’s study, "Engineering Graduates for Industry”, a review of engineering Project‐Based Learning (PjBL) in the UK commissioned by the Bernard M. Gordon‐MIT Enginering Leadership Program identifies several obstacles hindering further development of engineering PjBL in the UK.

According to the review, further development of engineering PjBL in the UK hinges on sustainability, a sense of urgency, and increased confidence and/or knowledge among many UK engineering faculty in the design and application of both assessment and evaluation processes for engineering PjBL experiences.

The lackluster economy is also adversely affecting local and national sources of support for future engineering PjBL activities: The government’s cutbacks to higher education funding and the imminent closure of a number of the Centres for Excellence in Teaching and Learning may reduce precious resources for such activities.

Presenting seven UK case studies of engineering PjBL that were commended by their UK and international peers as offering robust, successful, and transferable models, the report discusses the opportunities and challenges for implementing PjBL in the UK engineering curriculum and presents key themes in UK engineering PjBL practice.

More than 70 individuals were consulted during the study period (July‐December 2009). The study was conducted by Engineering Education expert Dr. Ruth Graham. Interviews available.

Launched through a $20 million gift by The Bernard M. Gordon Foundation, the Bernard M. Gordon – MIT Engineering Leadership Program is a new educational initiative at MIT that combines leadership development with the rigor of the MIT educational experience. The Program’s goal is to help MIT’s undergraduate engineering students develop the skills, tools, and character they will need as future leaders in the world of engineering practice. For more information, visit http://web.mit.edu/gordonelp

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Launched through a $20 million gift by The Bernard M. Gordon Foundation, the Bernard M. Gordon – MIT Engineering Leadership Program is a new educational initiative at MIT that combines leadership development with the rigor of the MIT educational experience. The Program’s goal is to help MIT’s undergraduate engineering students develop the skills, tools, and character they will need as future leaders in the world of engineering practice. For more information, visit http://web.mit.edu/gordonelp