CHALMERS FORMULA STUDENT Designing a Project Based CDIO Course

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CHALMERS FORMULA STUDENTDesigning a Project
Based CDIO Course Sven Andersson Peter
Granqvist 18 June 2003
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WHY FORMULA STUDENT?

• Formula Student is basically a design-build
  project, making it suitable as a project-based
  course
• Through the Total Car Concept (of Formula
  Student) large parts of the Mech.Eng. curriculum
  are connected in one course/project
• Fits into the ideas of CDIO
• Competition adds element of realism and edge to
  project
• Motivates students that are at the university to
  learn how to design cars
• Generates external interest
• High technology level!!

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A GENERAL COURSEDEVELOPMENT PROCESS
Define learning objectives
Evaluate (did we reach the goals? did we have
the right goals?)
Course design (e.g. choice of product, T L
approach)
Teach Assess
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SYSTEMATIC COURSE DESIGN

• Identify main goals
• Use the CDIO syllabus to more precisely define
  what should be learned in the course
• When the categories/topics are identified, grade
  them according to I (Introduce), T (Teach) and U
  (Utilize)
• Define intended learning outcomes
• Select teaching methods - consider learning
  barriers and other issues
• Select assessment methods focusing on Teach, but
  also to some extent on Utilize

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IDENTIFY MAIN GOALS

• To give knowledge of applied practical
  engineering work and prototype manufacturing.
• The course concerns a total car concept where the
  entire process from conceive and design to
  implement and operate is regarded
• Other main goals are system thinking,
  communication and teamwork.
• Examination
• Written and oral presentations
• Pass / fail grades (first year)

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SELECT CATEGORIES FROM THE CDIO SYLLABUS
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SELECT CATEGORIES FROM THE CDIO SYLLABUS (cont.)
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DEFINE INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES, SELECTED
EXAMPLES

• Use a project model, participate in defining the
  work (e.g. setting goals) and be an actor in the
  project group (both technically and socially)
  3.1-3.3, 4.4.1
• Use previously acquired knowledge and search for
  whatever more is needed, to design a subsystem of
  the product (e.g. a car) 1.3, 2.2, 2.3
• Manufacture the designed subsystem using
  appropriate methods 4.5.1, 4.5.2
• Be able to plan and perform tests of the
  subsystem (both separately and together with
  other subsystems) for further development 4.5.5,
  4.6.1

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TEACHING

• Utilize project model (e.g. Product Development
  (Chalmers) model or LIPS), including
• Project organization/roles
• Car subsystem structuring
• Time schedule with gates milestones
• Structured documentation
• Lectures - up to project members
• Dedicated lab space
• Supervision - how much intervention?

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ASSESSMENT

• Milestone (and status) reports, presented for
  teachers and students orally and in writing
• Experts view on manufacturing of hardware
• Testing and comparison with project goals
• Competition
• Outstanding issues for future years
• Peer assessment?
• Grading? pass / fail, scale 3-5?

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ADDRESS GENERAL T L BARRIERS

• Organization
• School curriculum
• Resources
• Faculty competence
• Teacher education
• Educational tools
• Lab space
• Assessment, e.g. of implement and operate skills

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SPECIAL PROBLEMS

• Essentially a re-design project how to re-use
  knowledge from last year
• and how to make next year a new challenge
• How to manage varying pre-knowledge / diverse
  student groups?
• (Preparing students for participation in peer
  assessment)

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IMPACT - EXPERIENCES FROM LAST YEAR COMPETITION
Sunshine-story Despite all barriers
participation in competition Award Best
Endeavour 2002 Most intriguing car
Excellent first entry Project participants
happy and satisfied CHALMERS continues with
Formula Student
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CONCLUSIONS

• 5 (2) credit course created
• A generic DB course development process can be
  based on CDIO components - demonstrated here
• Learning objectives based on CDIO syllabus being
  formulated
• Course structure designed to emphasize learning
  of CDIO skills.
• Assessment linked to CDIO learning objectives
  work in progress
• Students are dedicated, and they learn a lot
  irrespective of starting knowledge!

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2003 CAR AT STOCKHOLM CAR SHOW