Learning opportunities and diversity of engineering students’ background in interdisciplinary group projects

Oti, Akponanabofa Henry, Farrell, Peter, Berrais, Abbes, McMahon, Paul, Boulbibane, Mostapha, Paschalis, Spyridon, Osman, Yassin, Al-Farj, Furat and Duncan, Malcolm (2021) Learning opportunities and diversity of engineering students’ background in interdisciplinary group projects. Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning. ISSN 2042-3896

[thumbnail of Learning opportunities and diversity of engineering students’ background.pdf]
Preview
PDF
Learning opportunities and diversity of engineering students’ background.pdf - Accepted Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial.

Download (864kB) | Preview

Abstract

Purpose
In line with business goals of customer satisfaction, higher education institutions of learning consider excellent student experience a priority. Teaching and learning are important aspects of satisfaction that are monitored annually by universities using tools such as the National Student Survey (NSS). The NSS results are useful for educational planning and informing consumer choices. This research measured undergraduate student experiences on an interdisciplinary project using the NSS framework. Hinged on diversity, the purpose was to investigate whether full-time (FT), part-time (PT) and degree apprenticeship students with varied work experience enhance their learning studying together on an interdisciplinary project.

Design/methodology/approach
This research has measured, using the NSS criteria, student experiences on an interdisciplinary project on a civil engineering programme. It benchmarks the quality of learning and student understanding and perceptions of learning. The method is based upon a literature review and questionnaire survey of students.

Findings
Results indicate good amounts of peer influence on learning in a simulated interdisciplinary team setting supported by a mix of diverse work experience in students’ background.

Originality/value
Sections of the NSS are extended with additional questions to capture the impact that FT, PT and degree apprenticeship study modes, closely associated with students’ background of job experience, have on teaching and learning.

Item Type: Article
Identifier: 10.1108/HESWBL-04-2021-0077
Additional Information: Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited. Citation Oti, A.H., Farrell, P., Berrais, A., McMahon, P., Boulbibane, M., Paschalis, S., Osman, Y., AL-Faraj, F. and Duncan, M. (2021), "Learning opportunities and diversity of engineering students’ background in interdisciplinary group projects", Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/HESWBL-04-2021-0077
Keywords: Diversity, Study mode, Work experience, NSS, Interdisciplinary, Student satisfaction
Subjects: Construction and engineering > Civil and environmental engineering
Education > Higher education > HE pedagogies
Construction and engineering > Civil and structural engineering
Related URLs:
Depositing User: Spyridon Paschalis
Date Deposited: 04 Mar 2022 14:00
Last Modified: 30 Sep 2024 12:58
URI: https://repository.uwl.ac.uk/id/eprint/8825

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item

Menu