Partial Problem-based Learning on Open-Source Acoustics Software Education for Marine Engineering Degree Programme

Abstract

Airborne noise from operating equipment onboard offshore vessels negatively affects the crew members working and staying on the vessel for extended periods of time. However, many students pursuing a marine engineering degree are unequipped to handle this problem because acoustics and its application to marine systems are currently not a part of many curricula. In addition, difficulties in teaching acoustics in the marine engineering degree course arise from the lack of knowledge and skills among teaching staff from various mechanical, naval marine, architecture, and offshore engineering backgrounds. Hence, a new curricula model using a partial problem-based learning (PBL) approach is proposed to improve student learning in room acoustic. Studying room acoustics using open-source software such as PsySound3, and AARAE provides students with hands-on experience in room acoustics modeling and simulation in the marine engineering degree programme. The overall feedback from the students indicated that following the partial PBL initially was quite challenging. Some instructors felt that PBL training was insufficient to improve their understanding of PBL activities. However, most students and instructors gave positive feedback on using information technologies to create more interest in learning and teaching acoustics.