A systems view of learning in education

As the sophistication of technology has increased, so has public demand for quality. This expectation of quality has occurred across a broad range of products and systems, including education. To meet the demand for quality, many products and systems (including educational ones) have become increasingly complex. Within education there are also other factors which have driven up levels of complexity. These factors include increased diversity in the student body, a greater emphasis on collaboration and the drive to replace simple “delivery models” of teaching. It is well known from other fields, though, that as systems become more complex, they become more vulnerable to failure. For this reason, a formalised methodology known as “systems engineering” is often applied in industry to the management of large systems. The author argues that the use of systems engineering concepts in education would be likely to reduce failure rates and improve quality. This is particularly so in large-scale complex learning systems. The paper also discusses some implications of trying to use systems engineering methodology in modern educational systems.     

Interactive multimedia systems for engineering education in acoustics,synthesis and signal processing

This paper describes programmable multimedia systems, developed at the University of York, which are used extensively for teaching on a variety of music technology and mainstream engineering courses. Software and hardware systems are described for the physical modelling of acoustic spaces, and for constructing interactive synthesis and signal processing networks. Details are given on how these have been successfully integrated into higher education programmes at York.     

航空工程全日制专业学位硕士高水平人才培养提升与实践

随着科技的进步与发展,社会对新型工程创新人才的需求越来越迫切。全日制专业学位硕士是一种高层次、应用型、复合型新型工程创新人才,其教育是一种全新的研究生培养模式。文章以航空工程为例,在剖析当前专业硕士教育中存在的问题及原因的基础上,从"创新专业硕士的培养理念,引导其全方面发展""引导社会力量积极参与专业硕士的培养过程,构建协同创新的培养体系"和"改革研究生课程教学方式,完善课程考核体系"三个方面提出了如何培养出高水平的专业硕士研究生的方法和措施。     

单相接地故障仿真与模拟实验的对比化教学

介绍了高压模拟实验平台和仿真实验平台的建设思路、基本结构以及操作过程,以"单相接地故障"为例进行了对比化教学分析并总结了其特点。将电气工程知识点通过高压模拟演示实验和仿真操作实验对比化展示,为学习者提供研究的学习环境,可以改变传统的教学模式,辅助"电气工程基础"的教学,提高教学效果。     

大型仪器设备实验教学与本科生、研究生创新能力培养的探索实践

大型仪器设备是先进科学技术的代表,在科研工作中起着重要的作用,同时也是培养创新人才的重要途径。本文以实验教学中心的大型仪器设备教育实践为例,阐述了大型仪器设备在本科生、研究生创新能力培养中的实践教学模式、特点及成效。     

Associating Decision Support and Training: METAN: A Learning System for Material Observation and Analysis

This paper presents a reflection on the combination of decision support and training in engineering. In most decision support systems, several kinds of methods, suck as knowledge-based, model-based or case-based reasoning, are used to support decision of users, by providing analysis of the situation, relevant information and advice. Learning systems partly use this knowledge in association with tutoring knowledge, to train users to analyze situations, synthesize relevant information and take decisions. The similarity between these two activities is the starting point of this study: is it possible to design intelligent systems that may be used either for training or for decision support? We present the METAN system, a case study in the field of engineering: observation and analysis of materials.     

The faculty perspective on holistic and systems thinking in American and Australian mechanical engineering programmes

This research effort examined current mechanical engineering educational programmes in America and Australia to determine the degree of holistic, systems thinking of each programme. Faculty from ten American universities and ten Australian universities participated in online surveys and interviews. Resulting data analysis and interpretation suggest that holistic, systems thinking is present in both American and Australian engineering educational programmes, although it is more prevalent in Australian programmes. Specific examples of educational opportunities (courses, projects, extracurricular activities, research experiences) that integrate complex systems study are described in the full paper. This study is currently limited a small sample size within two countries, but it would be very useful to expand the study to a larger population and to include European sites to gain a fuller picture of the state of holistic, systems thinking in higher education.     

Development of Curricula for Engineering Degree Courses

The terms control/computer systems, production systems, organizations, macro-and microscopic biological entities and human activities at the individual and group level in society refer to areas concerned with action through purposive systems. The action is aimed at specified changes of properties of some user by means of a product. Engineering as a discipline is preoccupied with such changes and, as such, involves the activities of control/computer and production systems and organizations. Purposive activity is seen as an agent capable of integrating the diverse topics into a coherent scheme. The evolution of change leading to change in the context of the user/receiver-product-purposive system chain is described. The basic notions of a system theory based on linguistic modelling capable of dealing with the propagation of qualitative properties towards an outcome are outlined. The contents and methods of current engineering courses are briefly reviewed. The method of construction of novel kinds of engineering courses is suggested, together with an outline scheme for one such course.     

Learning objects and learning content management systems in engineering education: implications of new trends

Learning objects and learning content management systems are considered to be ‘the next wave in engineering education’. The results of experiments with these new trends in ICT in engineering education are described in this paper. The prospects were examined and the concepts of reusability of content for teachers and for personalized education using learning objects delivered on demand to students were put to the test. The hurdles that need to be overcome and the benefits of using learning objects and learning content management systems are discussed. This paper is concluded with a discussion of the findings for future developments in engineering education.     

面向并行工程技术的冲模CAD／CAM系统设计

介绍了并行工程技术的思想和特点，结合并行工程技术的实施要求，冲压模具特点以及冲压模具CAD／CAM系统现状，分析了冲模CAD／CAM系统设计的基本流程，着重介绍了在整个系统设计过程中的并行，探讨了面向并行工程的模具CAD／CAM系统设计的方法及模型，并指出了并行工程技术理论目前在国内研究中的不足，以及国内并行工程技术的适用场合。     

教育技术学理论体系的模式与研究反思

教育技术学理论体系研究是当前教育技术学基本理论研究的重要主题。经过学术界多年的探索,产生了不少教育技术学理论体系,并形成了三种模式。但这些理论体系及其构造过程与方法尚存在很大的缺陷,需要从前提、科学性、方法论、完备性以及本土化等多各方面进行进一步的反思。     

逆向工程技术及其在模具制造中的应用

简要阐述了逆向工程技术的基本内涵及其实施过程、应用范围和发展条件,结合模具设计制造的特点,着重介绍了一种比较实用的、低成本的基于数控仿型的逆向工程技术应用系统,探讨了系统的实现方法与可行性、关键技术的解决方案,并分析了逆向工程技术目前应用中的不足之处,提出了实施过程中需要注意和解决的问题.     

The Technology of Information Systems-Another Challenge for Engineering Education

The proper functioning of the world in which we live is becoming more and more dependent on information and how we use it. With methodologies and machines that are becoming available to information systems technology, we are, indeed, entering the Age of Information-an age of promise in business, in government, and in the military that can have as profound an effect on the world as the harnessing of the atom, the development of electric power, or the Industrial Revolution of the Nineteenth Century. The purpose of this paper is to delineate the broad technology of information systems in order to provide a basis for estimating the impact of this technology on future engineering education. Suggestions for modifying under-graduate engineering curriculums are made in order that future engineering graduates will be prepared to contribute to the continuing development of the technology and to utilize the technology in performing other engineering work. This paper discusses such topics as: What is an Information System?; Functions of a Generic Information System; Men in Information Systems; Machines in Information Systems; Methods in Information Systems; How Information Systems Are Created; Major Problems Facing Information Systems Technology; and The Challenge for Engineering Education.     

Industrial Quality Standards and Total Quality Management in Higher Education

SUMMARY This paper examines two approaches to quality in engineering higher education. The first is based on the use of industrial quality systems standards, such as BS 5750 and the ISO 9000 series. Such standards are reviewed and criticisms of this approach noted. The other approach is total quality management, which has become very popular in both manufacturing and service industries. The total quality concept is described and the central elements identified. Two practical quality improvement processes are described. Conclusions are drawn concerning the suitability of each approach for engineering higher education.     

Interdisciplinarity and Systems Thinking: some implications for engineering education and education for industry

AS developments in science and technology accelerate the processes of social change, it becomes necessary to redefine educational objectives in engineering education. This paper examines some of the reasons for dissatisfaction with the limitations of single-discipline approaches to education, analysing these from a systems perspective. The paper considers the development of systems thinking in relation to engineering and raises some of the implications of systems thinking and systems methodologies for the planning of an interdisciplinary course. Finally, it refers to the course in technology and management at the University of Bradford, which is unified by a systemic philosophy and methodology, and considers the value added by such an approach, in human terms.     

Towards the university of tomorrow: University policy as a consistent system

In this paper the relationship between new technologies and structural changes in society and the economy are discussed. The roles of engineers are described within this revolution of information technology. Through comparing the international patterns of engineering studies, the German model of engineering education is being questioned. It becomes evident that only a consecutive model of higher education studies can be the goal of further university development in Germany. Subsequently, system analysis will be used to draft a new campus structure of the university: the virtual campus consisting of a system of largely independent entities that are linked by different technological and organizational means. Further education needs to be integrated into this virtual campus university. In this way, Germany may serve as an example of how countries around the world are challenged to change fundamentally their educational systems in order to respond to the ongoing revolution in information technology.     

Major Issues in Developing Modern Curricula in Engineering and Technology Education

Curriculum development in engineering and technology education has become one of the most important issues for academic institutions concerned about the quality and effectiveness of their courses in an era of rapidly changing technology and production processes. The paper addresses some major issues which engineering and technology educators have to take into account when developing their university curricula. It demonstrates the use of the modelling method in the development of new curricula and educational structures. This particular method has been used in science, technology and engineering for many years and has already had a strong impact on this educational endeavour. The method is extremely efficient in planning a modem curriculum. Its chain structure provides an excellent opportunity for further system development Moreover, it allows for the restructuring and modernization of existing study systems without undesirable disturbances and heavy expenditures. The author and his colleagues have gathered enormous experience in designing, developing and implementing modem electrical engineering curricula with the application of the modelling method. This has been achieved by carrying out research and developmental activities under the auspices of the Electrical Engineering Education Research Group. The group was established in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Sydney and is currently an integral part of the UNESCO Supported International Centre for Engineering Education at Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. This paper discusses an integrated approach to modelling a didactic process in engineering education and its application to designing a teaching‐learning system. It also discusses the important issues and strategies in the development of educational systems, showing some practical examples.     

Using Laboratory Experiments and Circuit Simulation IT Tools in an Undergraduate Course in Analog Electronics

Laboratory-based courses play a significant role in engineering education. Given the role of electronics in engineering and technology, laboratory experiments and circuit simulation IT tools are used in their teaching in several academic institutions. This paper discusses the characteristics and benefits of both methods. The content and structure of an introductory laboratory course in analog electronics is described. The aim of the course is the better understanding of the basic principles of analog electronic circuits without the need of specific technical and computer skills. The impact of the proposed method on the learning process is investigated. The evaluation of our proposal was based on both quantitative and qualitative data. Interesting conclusions about the teaching of electronics in undergraduate education are finally drawn.     

远程学习支持新发展与知识工程

随着网络等双向通信技术在远程教育中的应用，交互逐渐成为远程学习的重要因素，这种变化使得原来以支持独立学习为主的学习支持难以满足远程学习的需求，实践发展需要一种具有智能性和交互性特征的，支持交互、协作和社区化的学习支持，因此，这就需要借鉴和吸收其他学科的理论和方法。知识工程是源于专家系统而形成的一门研究人类智能及人类知识的机理，以及如何用机器模拟人的智能并促进人类知识发展的学科，该领域的研究为学习支持在交互和智能化方面的研究提供了重要的技术和方法基础。因此，本提出远程学习支持的新特征和关键研究领域，并重点探讨了知识工程有关领域在支持未来远程学习支持相关技术的研究和开发方面的潜力。作希望本能够对远程学习支持的理论和研究提供新的视角。