Engineering Reality in Single-Answer Problems

The purpose of this work has been to investigate one method by which some of the outside reality of the world of engineering can be presented in single-answer problems. The technique involves a tool readily available to all engineering educators: the current technical literature. Single-answer problems are particularly important in the earlier phases of engineering education, when they serve to develop the student´s capacity to use fundamental intellectual abilities such as recall and manipulation. Textbook problems are typical. They are generally considered to have little direct relation to the real world of engineering. However, if some of this outside reality can be presented in such problems, the student will perceive them as relevant and will be motivated to higher levels of achievement.