The work analyses the training process condition in teaching the discipline "Metrology, Standardization, Certification and Quality Control." It proves that the current educational standard regarding the instruction of the discipline "Metrology, Standardization, Certification and Quality Control" does not meet the needs of the…

This article traces and critically analyses a personal journey in search of effective ways to promote exemplary questioning on the part of students. The article is in many ways a polemic rather than a scientific study, which emerges as much from the 1970s and the writings of Carl Rogers as from the second decade of the twenty-first century with…

This paper asks a fundamental question: what is happening inside the mind of the undergraduate during teaching and learning experiences, and how should curricula be designed to support it? A number of concepts lend themselves to providing an answer, principle among which is the relatively recent idea of Threshold Concepts. In this paper we attempt…

This paper presents an investigation of how experience-led content in an engineering degree can be strengthened by creating opportunities for engineering students to benefit from the knowledge, skills and resources of students with current professional experience. Students who study civil engineering part-time at Coventry University (while also…

This study presents an evaluation of the centres of excellence in higher education in Finland. This approach is an example of enhancement-led evaluation aiming to improve the long-term development of education. The study presents the Degree Programme in Civil Engineering of the Turku University of Applied Sciences, which was awarded the…

This manuscript describes faculty and student experiences and future activities of a multidisciplinary group of university faculty who are implementing inquiry-based learning (IBL) in their classrooms for the first time. This opportunity to implement the IBL instructional method was provided to the faculty through a grant from the university's…

Explains the goals of civil engineering in China which include integrated knowledge structure and multi-level knowledge and abilities of innovation, adaptation, cooperation, communication, and organization. Discusses the challenges of student-centered education, dynamics of education organization, and open education. (Author/YDS)

In the rapidly changing modern world there is a special need for engineers to be responsive to the differing demands of their physical, technical, social and economic environments. To do this effectively, they need to be able to think and act creatively. The typical engineering student is characteristically not particularly creative. This makes it…

Aiming at turning theory of structures into a captivating subject to civil engineering students and at helping them understand the link between the mathematical models and the real structures, a new experience is underway at the Department of Structural and Foundation Engineering of Excola Politecnica da Universidada de Sao Paulo: transparencies…

Geotechnics (which encompasses soil and rock mechanics, engineering geology, foundation design, and ground engineering methods) is a major component of virtually all civil engineering courses. Show how mini-projects are used to teach this subject. Format of projects, development of presentation skills, and assessment considerations are discussed.…

Discusses the nature of and steps required in building an expert system. Includes comments by students given an assignment to choose a suitable topic and develop a small expert system related to that topic, as well as favorable faculty comments on the strategy. Also includes a student-developed expert system on rock-blasting. (JN)

Analyzes the effectiveness of introducing practical design projects at an early stage within a civil engineering undergraduate program. Traces the success of this strategy at each stage from its introduction to the final evaluation. Findings indicate that the projects were successful in improving the understanding of basic concepts and encouraging…

In 1996, a comprehensive project was introduced in the first course of Reinforced Concrete Design, CVEG 4303 at the University of Arkansas. The primary purpose of this project was to highlight issues related to the construction of reinforced concrete elements. This semester-long project involves the design, fabrication, and testing of 8-foot long…

In higher education, different instructors who teach the same course may vary the instructional paths, pace, and depth of the content. These variations may result in different performances among learners. The intent of this research is to design a course management system that aggregates appropriate course units based on maximum consensus among…

Based on engineering teaching experience in Africa and Asia, ideas are presented on educating civil engineers for developing countries, especially those in Africa. Some of the problems facing educational planners, teachers, and students are addressed, including responsibilities of a newly graduated civil engineer, curriculum development, and…