1998•Waves of Change: Proceedings of the 10th Australasian Conference on Engineering Education, 5th Australasian Women in Engineering Forum, 5th National Conference on Teaching Engineering DesignersRequires access
A First Attempt at Problem-Based Learning in First Year Civil Engineering
Roger George Hadgraft
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Abstract
In first semester, 1998, the Department of Civil Engineering introduced a project-based first year subject built around the study of Statics through the design of a pedestrian bridge. Students responded favourably to many aspects. They believed that it gave them a good sense of the role of civil engineers. Students seemed to get a sense of achievement from the project. They said that the subject developed key concepts and relevant skills and that the lectures were well presented. The tutors were judged helpful and the assessment contributed to students' learning. Most students found the teamwork enjoyable. There is room to improve in many of these matters for second semester, including the timing of lectures, the scope of the project, the notes and the experiment. However, despite room for improvement, this first year subject represented a successful introduction to civil engineering and a chance for students to engage in its study.