Collaborative Learning

Abstract

This paper describes a curriculum development project funded by the European Commission. It was developed to provide a learning environment (European Modules) for students from various disciplines to work together within an institution or between institutions in different countries, on structured project work that would simulate the workplace of the modern European engineering manager. The best vehicle for this purpose was considered to be group projects based upon a new product development theme. Having created a framework of three courses (modules) that progressively develop the necessary skills to achieve this objective, the authors report on several pilot studies that were established to test the methodology. It was found that there were significant benefits to students' learning, particularly in the three areas of consolidation of existing knowledge; transferable skills; and cross-functional and cultural awareness. The modules have now been integrated into several European study programmes and significant interest in the scheme has been shown by other institutions outside those of the development team. Additional resources to underpin the project are currently being developed and future prospects are also reported here.