Ipsative learning: a personal approach to a student's experience of PBL within an integrated engineering design cornerstone module

Abstract

The Faculty of Engineering Science atUniversity College London (UCL) has recently undergonea reform of the undergraduate curriculum, which resultedin the creation of a distinctive programme that connectedcurriculums from across seven engineering disciplines.The Integrated Engineering Programme is extensive,taking in nearly 700 students in its inaugural year at thestart of the autumn 2014 term. Its most significantcontributions are the experiential and authentic learningopportunities it provides students allowing them to applytheir technical knowledge and develop their professionalskills in engineering design modules year on year. Thefirst opportunity for students to do this is within thecornerstone Integrated Engineering Design module inyear I. This paper seeks to investigate the impact of anipsative learning approach (feedback and assessment thatis based on learner’s progress) within this multidisciplinaryproblem/project-based learning environment(PBL/PjBL), which focuses learning outcomes on thestudent’s ability to engage with the process of engineeringdesign. The methods of conducting the research includethe analysis of reflective writings by each studentthroughout the first of two 5-week ‘Challenge’ projects. Aset of reflections written by each student was associatedwith two formative assessment meetings, referred to asDesign Review Meetings, held with their academic leader.This data is also supplemented with verbal feedbackprovided by students and academics, which has beenprovided during follow up interviews and focus groups.Student self reflections written after each of the twomeetings support common theses of increasedunderstanding of the project aims and depth of studentresearch efforts. Surprisingly, however is the evidence,which implies that an ipsative PBL environmentempowers students to make critical personal andengineering decisions for effective progression within anengineering design project.

Faculty wide curriculum reform: the integrated engineering programme

“…The module was designed to provide an introduction, or perhaps more correctly an induction, to the style of learning that is needed to successfully engage in other IEP PBL elements. In this context there is considerable scaffolding and support provided to assist students to make a successful transition from what we assume to be a much more prescribed style of learning in school (Tilley and Mitchell 2015). These two projects also introduce the students to a broad range of aspects within the design cycle as a prelude to more focused activities that follow.…”

Using Motivation Theory to Inform Engineering Course Design

“…Design Courses [13], [14], [15], [16], [17], [18], [19], [20], [21], [22], [23], [24], [25] Introductory Technical Courses [26], [27], [28], [29], [30], [31] Upper Level Technical Courses [32], [33], [34]…”

“…Case Studies, Real-World Labs, Service Learning [26], [32], [15], [17], [28], [34], [31], [35] Course Delivery [26], [27], [29], [36], [37], [30], [33], [38], [39] Assessment [13], [16], [40], [41], [22], [42], [23], [43], [44] Theory Based or Survey Results [11], [45], [46], [47], [10], [19], [48], [1], [39], [49], [24], [25], [50], [51], [52] Out-of-class activities [53], [54], [55], [56], [57], [58] While there have been many successful interventions that improved student motivation discussed in the CEEA 2010-2018 proceedings, the relevant motivation theory behind each intervention is often missing. Understanding motivation theory may not be necessary ...…”

“…This fine balance can be achieved when educators ensure students are exposed to challenging problems right away, and then scaffold the learning experience. Providing multiple forms of assessment, ipsative feedback [16], credit for attempting a harder problem even if the solution is not correct, and providing examples of peers who first struggled and ultimately found success, can all support students in building self-efficacy for engineering problem solving.…”

“…Ipsative assessment, which means measuring student progress, as opposed to assessments which is set against a uniform standard, can support confidence and motivation [16], which support increased self-efficacy.…”