Using On-line Learning Tools to Support Increased Engagement in Human Factors Courses

Abstract

The breadth of potential topics in a Human Factors course can make it difficult to tailor course material to student interests, a key factor in engaging students in the class. The wide-spread adoption of on-line learning tools is creating new opportunities for instructors to develop assignments that use collaboration and peer review to engage students in human factors classes. This paper describes the Human Factors Researcher Profile assignment, an online, collaborative assignment for a senior undergraduate human factors class. Initial experience with the profile assignment has been promising; brief results of a survey probing students’ experience with the assignment are presented, and lessons learned and opportunities for improvement are described.