Experiential learning with a global perspective: overseas senior design projects

Author

Vaz, Richard F. ; Pedersen, Peder C.

Author_Institution

Worcester Polytech. Inst., MA, USA

Volume

3

fYear

2002

fDate

6-9 Nov. 2002

Abstract

All WPI undergraduate students complete three required projects, including a senior-level capstone design project that is equivalent in credit to three courses. Over 50% of WPI students complete at least one of their projects overseas at one of WPIs residential Project Centers located around the globe. Here, we describe two Project Centers-in Limerick, Ireland and Copenhagen, Denmark-at which teams of WPI students spend an academic term completing electrical and computer engineering design projects for industrial sponsors. Examples of student projects are given, as are details of the learning outcomes and accreditation evidence they provide. Finally, logistical and operational issues are discussed.

Keywords

computer science education; electrical engineering education; Copenhagen; Denmark; Ireland; Limerick; Worcester Polytechnic Institute; computer engineering design projects; electrical engineering design projects; experiential learning; funding; industrial sponsors; learning evaluation; learning outcomes; logistical issues; logistics; operational issues; overseas senior design projects; project based education; residential Project Centers; senior projects; senior-level capstone design project; sponsor relations; student teams; undergraduate students; Accreditation; Computer industry; Computer science education; Design engineering; Educational programs; Engineering profession; Knowledge engineering; Operating systems; Problem-solving; Teamwork;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Frontiers in Education, 2002. FIE 2002. 32nd Annual

ISSN

0190-5848

Print_ISBN

0-7803-7444-4

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/FIE.2002.1158685

Filename

1158685