A Suggestion for Improving the Efficiency of Engineering Education

Issue title: Engineering Education

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Hoffmann, Michael H.W.

Affiliations: University of Ulm, Department of Microwave Techniques, Albert-Einstein-Allee 41, D-89069 Ulm, Germany. Tel.: +49 731 50 26352; Fax: +49 731 50 26359; E-mail: Michael.Hoffmann@ieee.org

Abstract: Since the body of knowledge in science and technology is growing more and more, a natural consequence for students would be the need to study for a longer period of time. However, institutions of higher education are now being urged to shorten the average length of studies because of rising costs and the demands of the business world for younger employees. The established reaction to this dilemma is to emphasize specialized subjects, thereby leaving distressing gaps in the breadth of students' education. Novel ideas for improved efficiency of teaching and learning are thus needed to guarantee the competitiveness of future engineers. A potential solution might be to reorganize programs of study into a "team" approach: Instead of treating different subjects like mathematics and physics in separate, yet parallel, lectures, they could be presented in a more efficient and motivating manner via a unified lecture consisting of a network of subject micro-modules.

Journal: Information Knowledge Systems Management, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 191-200, 2004