The Challenge of Distance: Opportunity Learning in Transnational Collaborative Educational Settings

摘要

Engineering education has traditionally offered problem-based, project-organized courses with a view to preparing students for their future career. Several universities have engaged in collaborative projects that offer courses in an international educational setting. In this article we present the results of an exploratory study of one such program involving students enrolled in separate Masters programs in Mechatronics and Mechanical Engineering at KTH, Sweden, and Stanford University, USA. The empirical data collected indicate improved interdisciplinary learning and increased knowledge and skills in related areas. It is argued that the problems posed by differences in time and space present learning opportunities.