A Team Approach to Problem-Based Learning

Abstract

The role of university educators and administrators is to develop the most complete student possible through the educational process. This development should include intellectual competence, interpersonal competence, and the ability to create mature interpersonal relationships. Typically, engineering curricula have focused primarily only on the development of intellectual competence, therefore not addressing all student needs. The incorporation of problem-based learning and the use of teams in Architectural Engineering capstone courses provides an environment in which all of these development objectives can be achieved as well as an opportunity to teach problem-solving and team skills. When implemented in engineering capstone courses, problem-based learning can satisfy the developmental needs of students, the demands of employers hiring our students following graduation, as well as the criteria defined by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).