Introduction of Problem Based Learning to Mechanical Engineering Curricula
Jindrich Petruska
Brno University of Technology, Faculty of Mech. Engng.
www.fme.vutbr.cz
Introduction to Problem Based Learning to Mech. Eng. Curricula
ISEE 2010, Cork, Ireland, 30th June‐2nd July 2010
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Faculty of Mech. Engineering
Brno University of Technology
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Came into being in 1900
One of the largest BUT faculties – 4361 students in Bachelor`s (2545), Master`s
(1304) and doctoral study programmes
(512)
510 employees (40 professors)
Providing traditional engineering education as well as interdisciplinary
courses (mechatronics, materials, mathematical and physical engineering, industrial design)
Close cooperation with industrial
companies (Siemens, IBM, Škoda auto, Bosch, Honeywell, Daikin, Timken)
Graduates have no problems finding a job
Technická 2, 616 69 Brno
http://www.fme.vutbr.cz
Introduction to Problem Based Learning to Mech. Eng. Curricula
ISEE 2010, Cork, Ireland, 30th June‐2nd July 2010
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Introduction to Problem Based Learning to Mech. Eng. Curricula
ISEE 2010, Cork, Ireland, 30th June‐2nd July 2010
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Organization of the study
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Entrance examination on mathematics and physics
Student evaluation is based on the credit system
fully compatible with ECTS (European Credit Transfer System)
Classical 5-year engineering curriculum changed to:
Bachelor`s study programme - 3 years (180 credits), Bc thesis
Master`s study programme - 2 years (120 credits), Master`s thesis
PhD studies last 4 years, finished with doctoral thesis
Change from 5 years to 3+2 was not followed by study scheme change:
lectures – seminars – exams
Almost 100% of students continue from Bc to MSc degree
Introduction to Problem Based Learning to Mech. Eng. Curricula
ISEE 2010, Cork, Ireland, 30th June‐2nd July 2010
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Drawbacks of the existing system
Low competency in the following areas:
• management ability
• adaptability and creativity
• communication, self-presentation, teamwork
• social, economical and juridical context of engineering activities
Introduction to Problem Based Learning to Mech. Eng. Curricula
ISEE 2010, Cork, Ireland, 30th June‐2nd July 2010
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Curricula innovation funded by ESF project:
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Name: “Introduction of the Problem Based Learning to Mechanical
Engineering Curricula” , No. CZ.1.07/2.2.00/07.0406
Duration: May 2009 – April 2012
www: http://opvk22.umt.fme.vutbr.cz/
Principal aim: Introduction of the Problem Based Learning into the
educational process at the Faculty of Mech. Engng., shifting the
education from the „learning by hearing“ to the „learning by doing“
mode
Industrial partners: Siemens Electric Machines, Honeywell, UNIS,
ZDAS
Introduction to Problem Based Learning to Mech. Eng. Curricula
ISEE 2010, Cork, Ireland, 30th June‐2nd July 2010
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Key Activities of the Project
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Labor market survey
Foreign experience
Problem based module structure
Formal and content changes of curricula courses
Complex e-learning support of educational process and knowledge testing
system
Development of laboratories and practical training
Realization and evaluation of new study plans
Introduction to Problem Based Learning to Mech. Eng. Curricula
ISEE 2010, Cork, Ireland, 30th June‐2nd July 2010
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Principal changes in Bc study
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New organization of seminars in classical disciplines of mechanics: Statics, Kinematics, Dynamics and Strength of material are seen as integral part of
Computational Mechanics. 50% of seminars in computer labs
Individual solution of practical problems is demanded
Up to 30% of credit points necessary to pass the exam can be gained at the seminars
New course in the last semester – Bachelor Project – fully devoted to individual solution of problem oriented diploma themes
Introduction to Problem Based Learning to Mech. Eng. Curricula
ISEE 2010, Cork, Ireland, 30th June‐2nd July 2010
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Principal changes in Bc study
Introduction to Problem Based Learning to Mech. Eng. Curricula
ISEE 2010, Cork, Ireland, 30th June‐2nd July 2010
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Principal changes in Bc study
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New organization of seminars in classical disciplines of mechanics: Statics, Kinematics, Dynamics and Strength of material are seen as integral part of
Computational Mechanics.
Introduction to Problem Based Learning to Mech. Eng. Curricula
ISEE 2010, Cork, Ireland, 30th June‐2nd July 2010
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Typical problems in computational mechanics
Compare deflection, shearing force and bending moment of the beam
solved in MAPLE and by FE system ANSYS
Introduction to Problem Based Learning to Mech. Eng. Curricula
ISEE 2010, Cork, Ireland, 30th June‐2nd July 2010
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Typical problems in computational mechanics
Interactive presentation of graphic solution of axial forces in pin-jointed
structure
Introduction to Problem Based Learning to Mech. Eng. Curricula
ISEE 2010, Cork, Ireland, 30th June‐2nd July 2010
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Knowledge testing system – sample problem
Introduction to Problem Based Learning to Mech. Eng. Curricula
ISEE 2010, Cork, Ireland, 30th June‐2nd July 2010
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Individual problems – create computational models of hip joint prosthesis
Introduction to Problem Based Learning to Mech. Eng. Curricula
ISEE 2010, Cork, Ireland, 30th June‐2nd July 2010
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Principal changes in MSc study
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New courses encouraging the problem oriented tasks solution are introduced: Industrial project, Diploma seminar and Diploma practice
Content of selected courses of Mechatronics directly applied in Mechlab
Mechlab (Mechatronics laboratory) – newly introduced and quickly developing laboratory. Team solution of problems inspired by industrial practice, with clerly defined responsibility of each team member working together on a collective task. Typically, individual job of each team member becomes his/her diploma task in the last year of study
Introduction to Problem Based Learning to Mech. Eng. Curricula
ISEE 2010, Cork, Ireland, 30th June‐2nd July 2010
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Principal changes in MSc study
Introduction to Problem Based Learning to Mech. Eng. Curricula
ISEE 2010, Cork, Ireland, 30th June‐2nd July 2010
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Walking robots
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kinematics and dynamics problems in the field of mobile walking robots (SimMechanics)
sensory system (MEMS)
trajectory planning (Voronoi diagrams)
stability problem
approximation of dynamic models
Introduction to Problem Based Learning to Mech. Eng. Curricula
ISEE 2010, Cork, Ireland, 30th June‐2nd July 2010
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Autonomous mobile robots projects
Key benefits:
ƒ Using gained knowledge on real world yet simplified problems
ƒ Learning how to work in the team with specialists from different fields
Mechanics
ƒ Mechanical design (bachelor thesis)
ƒ Stress/strain analysis
Electronics
ƒ Power electronics – speed controllers (bachelor thesis)
ƒ Steering servodrive
Sensors
ƒ GPS with differential error correction (bachelor thesis)
ƒ Ultrasonic sensors
ƒ Laser rangefinder SICK
ƒ Electronic compass with inclination compensation
Software
ƒ Image processing – segmentation (diploma thesis)
ƒ Localization – basics of Kalman filtering
ƒ Navigation – high level software layer composition
Introduction to Problem Based Learning to Mech. Eng. Curricula
ISEE 2010, Cork, Ireland, 30th June‐2nd July 2010
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Team composed of
ƒ 2 senior leaders (with PhD, supervision)
ƒ 4 students of fourth/fifth grade (major tasks)
ƒ 6 students of bachelor study programme (minor tasks)
Motivation for the students
ƒ real machine (not just the simulation)
ƒ robotic competitions
ƒ field can easily catch attention
Introduction to Problem Based Learning to Mech. Eng. Curricula
ISEE 2010, Cork, Ireland, 30th June‐2nd July 2010
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Realization problems and conclusions
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lack of teachers qualified and interested in new educational method, reluctance of some of them to adopt new methods problems to find and prepare appropriate problems and practical tasks for students on different levels to deal with
shortage of devices and equipment to be used for practical learning
too many students in Bachelor`s study programs in proportion to experienced teachers, complicated implementation of PBL in large, anonymous groups
lack of long‐time experience with PBL application
Introduction to Problem Based Learning to Mech. Eng. Curricula
ISEE 2010, Cork, Ireland, 30th June‐2nd July 2010
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Thank you for attention Introduction to Problem Based Learning to Mech. Eng. Curricula
ISEE 2010, Cork, Ireland, 30th June‐2nd July 2010