Working Day Model for Students in Chemical and Materials Engineering

The working scheme of the students has been modified as a part of the Chemical Engineering department curriculum redesign work. The change from a highly detailed, fragmented and classroom orientated curriculum towards a flexible and working life connected, project based curriculum is remarkable. These previously applied weekly schedules, which based on the different subjects taking place in two hours slots, did not support the new curricula. The teaching was organized in a new way based on the CDIO framework and is now implemented according to a working day model. The working day was planned to include two subjects. The first subject takes place in the moring session until noon and the latter in the afternoon. This paper introduces the background behind the working day model and the reasons why the program decided to reorganize the studies. Also the issues and challenges that arised during the implementation are discussed. Several reasons appeared in the background as drivers for the schedule change. Good experiences, gained in subjects including laboratory work, were encouraging and directed towads a change. This already applied concept included both theory and practical work at the same day. The morning started with a take off-session, including the theory of the laboratory work which was directly followd by the actual hands on session. This turned out to be an efficient combination which resulted in good learning outcome. Also the students found this arrangement meaningful and interesting. In general students find the project work much more motivating than the classroom lessons. One of the goals of the department curriculum redesign work was to move the teachning out from traditional classrooms and introduce more modern learning methods for the students. This goal combined with the general reduction in the student contact hours, encouraged to rearrenge the teaching in a more creative way. Fewer contact hours were planned to be compensated by more independent or group studies by the students. This was not the trend noted. As the schedules showed less contact lessons the students started to work outside the university instead and did not use the time for self-studies. Actions needed to be taken. According to the CDIO framework are students encouraged to work in projects originating from the surrounding working life. To be able to work in a project as well as to manage a project successfully, within the timetable given, has the working schedule for the students be flexible. Whole days for project work has to be enabled and arranged for the students as well as for the personnel working in the projects as coaches. The increasing R&D work among the personnel is also in need of scheduling in the schedule. A survey among the first group of students following the working day model for one semester was made. The result of the surway show encoruraging as well a critical results which can be used as valuable material in further planning. Several modification based on the studet as well as personnel feedback will be made in schdules 2016.

Proceedings of the 12th International CDIO Conference, Turku, Finland, June 12-16 2016