Interdisciplinary Learning through a Connected Classroom

Abstract

An interdisciplinary course is described whose learning objectives were to build foundational knowledge, collaborative skills, and functional knowledge in an advanced technical area. the 'connected-classroom' instructional design stressed active, collaborative learning through a structured combination of World-Wide-Web-Based tutorials, lecture supplemented with Socratic dialogue, role-Based group assignments, and applied laboratories. a characteristic that makes interdisciplinary courses difficult, namely the mixed student backgrounds, was used to guide collaborative activities and to promote an interconnected view of concepts. over three semesters, the course format and components were implemented, assessed, and revised based on the assessments. Learning effectiveness was strongly influenced by the course components that addressed disparities in student background and that linked foundational concepts to applications. Senior undergraduates and graduate students from electrical engineering, computer engineering, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, and civil engineering participated. the topical area was composite materials and sensor systems for smart structures.

Department(s)

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Second Department

Business and Information Technology

Third Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0949-149X

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2024 Tempus Publications, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

26 Apr 2004

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