News

At Eindhoven University of Technology, students participate in different courses to obtain their degree in engineering education. But what do they actually learn during their time at university? And how do they perceive their own learning? To answer these questions, TU/e developed a ‘learning gains framework’ for engineering education. Leaning on the CDIO framework as a basis, Martina van Uum and Birgit Pepin were inspired by other frameworks, such as the mathematical proficiency framework of the National Research Council, and a general learning gains framework (Vermunt et al., 2018). The framework developed by Van Uum and Pepin consists of five strands that are interwoven: 1) Disciplinary conceptual and procedural knowledge, 2) General cognitive learning, 3) Attitude, thought and learning, 4) Teamwork and communication, 5) The enterprise (see the figure below).

We are proud to inform you that the renewed Innovation Map is online. The new Innovation Map makes it easier for lecturers and support education staff to find tools, tips & tricks and background information on innovations in engineering education. A total of 179 innovations are posted,  on topics such as: interdisciplinary engineering education, blended learning and virtual labs, future engineering skills, dealing with the diversity, coaching students and sustainable & active education.

The second Twente group of 12 colleagues finished their SUTQ (SKO) projects in which they designed and researched aspects of their education. In the same ceremony six colleagues finished their Senior Examination Qualification (SKE) trajectory with assessment related topics being studied in-depth. Results were shared and discussed in an informal poster market after receiving certificates and flowers from Mirjam Bult (Executive Board UT). All project summaries will be available through the 4TU.CEE innovation map.

4TU.CEE has evolved from a starting centre of expertise as part of the sector plan for engineering, into a stable, recognised and mature centre. In the past two years, 4TU.CEE invested in a variety of themes to contribute to the innovation of engineering education: future engineering skills, curriculum development, interdisciplinary engineering education, emerging technologies, engineering education for all (sustainable engineering education) and teaching excellence. In the Progress Report 2017-2018 you will find a selection of highlights under each of the mentioned themes.

The new 4TU.CEE strategic plan 2019-2021 has been approved by the 4TU Education Board. The strategic plan describes the topics and projects that 4TU.CEE will be working on in the period that lies ahead. 4TU.CEE is eager to support the development of future engineering education and help in establishing an empirical knowledge base on innovation in engineering education. We look forward to doing so with 4TU lecturers, researchers, support staff and our (inter)national partners.

Internationalisation and cross cultural communication skills are essential for all 4TU engineering students, due to the international student population and international setting they will work in. Workshops provide you with a practical, skill-building environment, engaging you in activities and receiving significant feedback from the instructor and other participants. It is the best and most efficient way to quickly develop a new skill!

At the Royal Academy of Engineering (London) Ruth Graham presented the 'Roadmap for Change' with respect to improving university reward for teaching on 13 & 14 May. This topic is high on the agenda of Dutch Higher Education (4TU, VSNU & Ministry of Education) with a new NL-wide strategy to be presented in September. Besides the 4TU four more Dutch universities were represented in this event discussing next steps among university leaders and experts from 29 different countries. Overall outcomes of a Teacher Culture Survey with 8000+ academics participated showed clear commitment to change from academics with expectations being high. Reports per participating university (including 4 TU’s) will become available in June. The Roadmap was commissioned by 4TU.CEE.

Structural mechanics is a core subject in almost all engineering bachelor curricula. To be able to analyse structures, students are required to learn how to apply analytical models that highly rely on a mathematical background. However, structural mechanics is fundamentally an empirical subject. Experimental activities can help students not only to better understand the theoretical content, but also to acquire experimental skills. Nevertheless, due to the ever-growing student population, over-packed curricula and the lack of resources and time, it is often challenging to provide students with enough (and meaningful) experimental practice.

The call for proposals of the IJRUME special on Mathematics in/for Engineering Education is open till 31 August 2019. The aim of this special issue is to bring together the best research on innovative teaching and learning practices in mathematics in engineering education and to develop deeper understandings of the characteristics of current teaching and learning practices that can inform the design and implementation of future innovative practices. As a whole, the special issue will provide a state-of-the-art overview of this emerging field at the cross-roads between mathematics and engineering education. “For engineering” refers to mathematics as a service subject for engineering programs. “In engineering” refers to mathematics as an integrated part of engineering sciences.

Yesterday the university of Twente has been granted an NRO Comenius Leadership Fellow of €250,000 euro. It will be used to enhance interdisciplinary modules of four different UT education programmes in the ‘STRIPES2021’ project. Interdisciplinary education is a topic 4TU.CEE is intensely working on. Only last year WUR also received a Comenius Leadership grant for a project on interdisciplinarity.   

4TU.CEE believes in jointly inspiring, stimulating, supporting and disseminating effective and high quality engineering education through research and application of evidence-based innovations. We have recently started two LinkedIn groups in which we would like to exchange knowledge and events on innovative engineering education. One group ‘4TU.CEE’ is more general in nature. The other group focuses on Learning Spaces and is called ‘4TU.CEE Learning Spaces’. You are most welcome to join these groups on LinkedIn. A third group ‘4TU.CEE Olin College’ is in the making.

As every year, new projects started beginning 2019 with support of the TU/e innovation fund. This year’s themes were ‘Hands on and digital education’, and projects that gear towards the ‘TU/e education vision 2030’. The projects this year are very ambitious!

You are invited for the SUTQ/SKE ceremony on 18 April, from 15.00-17.00 in Atrium Ravelijn at the University of Twente. During this ceremony the SUTQ (Senior University Teaching Qualification) and SKE (Senior Examination Qualification) participants will receive their certificate from the vice president of the executive board, Mirjam Bult.

All four TU’s have decided on further recognition of teaching excellence. 4TU.CEE therefore engaged in two international studies by Ruth Graham. Besides the Teaching Cultures Survey, a ‘Roadmap for Change’study identified the next steps that should be made after decision making. Both best practises and failures from an international group of universities were analysed with those involved. Outcomes show that senior management support, consultation, a HR framework and building of engagement are important. Also the flexibility to adjust the original plans for optimal fit in the own university setting is of importance. Lack of momentum can be a serious failing factor. In the next newsletter we will report on the Teaching Culture Survey which will give us a baseline of where we stand now while enabling a progress check in the future.

In the summer of 2018 a group of 15 honours programme students from TU Delft, together with  Prof. Peter Wieringa (HPD Dean & Vice-Rector at TU Delft) spent eleven days in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, to learn about the local engineering culture.