Problem centred learning-to-research

Engineering, information and computer technology education may integrate team skills, knowledge acquisition and understanding by using problem-centred learning. Motivation for exploration and research starts with building self-confidence and self-reliance. Learning the skills to perform research is aided by the pedagogy in the classroom: student initiated ideas for group work, literature surveys, modelling, measurements and writing reports are the process stages of research. Teaching how to do a research project may use 'research templates'-visual maps of complex systems in which individuals can develop communicating modules. A template for three-tier software architectures illustrated a wireless and Web-based monitoring system that was developed over years of freely available and enthusiastic labour with a shoestring budget. Assessment of learning to research was by a design exercise examination and by a project report. Over the last three years, sixteen different taught-student coauthors have contributed to twelve papers for refereed conferences and journals.