‘masterclass’ tackling complex problems of sustainable development
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‘Masterclass’Tackling complex problems of
sustainable development
Rosemary TomkinsonAcademic Support, Teaching Innovation and Development Adviser
Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Bland TomkinsonUniversity Advisor on Pedagogic Development
University of Manchester
Imperial College: 23 June 2009Imperial College: 23 June 20092
Why?
• Wicked global problems (after Brundtland :1987)
• Ultimate Challenge – what are universities for?
• Opportunity – Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor scheme
Imperial College: 23 June 2009Imperial College: 23 June 20093
What ? > Educating Engineers in Sustainable Development
• National Academy of Engineering (US)‘[The] future engineering curriculum should be built around developing skills and not around teaching knowledge …’
• Engineering Council (UK)‘[Engineers have a] crucial part to play in minimising risk to the environment, and in bringing about sustainable development...’
Imperial College: 23 June 2009Imperial College: 23 June 20094
What? The inter-disciplinary module
• Optional 12 week course (together 2 hours a week)• Carefully constructed to develop skills• Groups of about 8 students• Different
cultures/disciplines/professions/nationalities• Analyse problems collaboratively• Share knowledge and research• Develop new ideas• Produce professional reports• Write about own experiences of learning• Improve group skills• Learn how to learn• Learn how to research• Mature learning and assessment
Imperial College: 23 June 2009Imperial College: 23 June 20095
How?• Committed core team• Course teams working together • Finding champions (external funding
helps!)• Engaging staff: developing staff, as well
as students four advisory groups• Detailed design• Front-loaded PBL• Post-Docs as facilitators• Training for facilitators
Imperial College: 23 June 2009Imperial College: 23 June 20096
Working together in groups
Imperial College: 23 June 2009Imperial College: 23 June 20097
ResultsMonitoring and review
– Weekly debriefs – Nominal group– Questionnaires
Key points from students+ Inter-disciplinary+ Teamwork+ Mode of assessment+ Realistic content
Questionnaire results+ More deep learning approach+ Better self-perception of understanding sustainability+ Very positive scores on student satisfaction
Imperial College: 23 June 2009Imperial College: 23 June 20098
Strengths
• Helped to prompt university strategy• Outside funding/recognition• Enthusiastic students• Enthusiastic post-doctoral facilitators• International interest
Imperial College: 23 June 2009Imperial College: 23 June 20099
Challenges
• Timetables• Funding model – transfer values• University merger
– Size of institution– Compartmentalised thinking
• Assessment - models changed between years
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Thank youBland Tomkinson
University Advisor on Pedagogic Development
Rosemary TomkinsonAcademic Support, Teaching Innovation and Development Adviser
Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Web links• Course details
www.eps.manchester.ac.uk/tlc/sd/• Report to RAEng
www.eps.manchester.ac.uk/tlc/sd/raeng/March09 UoM ISD Report RAEng.pdf
• Appendices (contain detailed guidance)www.eps.manchester.ac.uk/tlc/sd/raeng/March09 UoM ISD Appendices
RAEng.pdf
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