Peer reviewed paper op SEFI Engineering Education congress 2009
In engineering programs an important part of the learning process takes place in practical assignments like capstone projects, internships and co-op assignments in industry. The assignments are very divers. Students have different roles, work in different environments and the learning outcomes are not uniform.
So how can the individual learning outcomes or growth competencies of the assignments be determined? To cope with this question the authors developed and implemented a method to monitor and assess the individual learning outcomes of the assignments. The method can be used to match a student to his next
assignment in such a way that he can build his individual learning track. The method defines three aspects of an assignment: the role of the engineer (i.e. project leader, designer, researcher), the domain(s) of the assignment (i.e. user interface, software engineering) and a general results matrix that describes results and the level required
to produce them. To manage the process learning outcomes are defined as products so project management methods can be used to plan, monitor and assess learning outcomes.
Key aspects of the method are:
1. A general results matrix for engineering assignments
2. Learning outcomes that are defined as results in the matrix and these results can be assessed.
3. The results have levels so the learning outcomes can grow during the programme.
4. The method can be used to match, monitor and assess students on one assignment.
5. The method can be used to match, monitor and assess students for the entire programme.
6. The tools that are developed are based on an industry standard for project management.