ENGINEERING EDUCATION FROM AN AXIOMATIC DESIGNAND PROBLEM COMPLEXITY TECHNIQUE PERSPECTIVE

摘要

Undergraduate education in Mechanical Engineeringrnat Texas Tech University was examinedrnthrough a transdisciplinary process which utilizedrnthe ideas of axiomatic design, complexity,rnteam effectiveness and learning/teaching styles.rnThe alarmingly high drop–out and failure ratesrnwithin the first year of the mechanical engineeringrnprogram has become clear. Thus, steps tornanalyze the problem and propose solutions tornameliorate the current situation were initiated.rnAn analysis process based on the fundamentalrntools within the scope of current transdisciplinaryrneducation and research models was employed.rnThis study involves a through review ofrnteam effectiveness and learning styles and proposesrnan emphasis of these concepts early in thernmechanical engineering curriculum to lower thernhigh drop–out and failure rates. A survey, withrn33 responses, of students ranging from freshmanrnto seniors indicated that more than 80% believernstudents’ knowledge of team effectivenessrnand individual learning/teaching styles is veryrnimportant in increasing students success.