Enhancing Engineering Education: A Curriculum Framework for Integrating Experiential Learning and Research
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.16920/jeet/2025/v38is2/25009Keywords:
Case study; Curriculum redesign; Engineering education; Experiential learning; Research integration; Student engagement in researchAbstract
Engineering education is changing to better equip students for dynamic work environments by means of experiential learning and research integration. This study offers a complete framework meant to easily combine research with experiential learning in engineering courses via curriculum redesign. The framework starts with evaluating engineering education's present situation, pointing up gaps in opportunities for experiential learning, and stressing the gap between classroom instruction and practical application. Inspired by present research and teaching methods, it suggests ways to close this disparity by include research elements all through the course. A case study showing how this approach is applied inside a particular engineering program offers actual evidence for its success. It is observed that the components that are essential for preliminary exposure to organized research experiences are, faculty and industry expert mentoring, multidisciplinary teamwork and activities relating to the real-world challenges and process of solving them with knowledge and skills. These components are meant to inspire among students critical thinking, ability to solve problems, and a closer awareness of disciplinary knowledge. Along with improving students' academic experiences, the suggested structure helps them to be creative leaders in their domains. Engineering education can more effectively satisfy the needs of a global environment growing in complexity by encouraging a culture of investigation and application.
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