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‘Masterclass’Tackling complex problems of

sustainable development

Rosemary TomkinsonAcademic Support, Teaching Innovation and Development Adviser

Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Bland TomkinsonUniversity Advisor on Pedagogic Development

University of Manchester

Imperial College: 23 June 2009Imperial College: 23 June 20092

Why?

• Wicked global problems (after Brundtland :1987)

• Ultimate Challenge – what are universities for?

• Opportunity – Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor scheme

Imperial College: 23 June 2009Imperial College: 23 June 20093

What ? > Educating Engineers in Sustainable Development

• National Academy of Engineering (US)‘[The] future engineering curriculum should be built around developing skills and not around teaching knowledge …’

• Engineering Council (UK)‘[Engineers have a] crucial part to play in minimising risk to the environment, and in bringing about sustainable development...’

Imperial College: 23 June 2009Imperial College: 23 June 20094

What? The inter-disciplinary module

• Optional 12 week course (together 2 hours a week)• Carefully constructed to develop skills• Groups of about 8 students• Different

cultures/disciplines/professions/nationalities• Analyse problems collaboratively• Share knowledge and research• Develop new ideas• Produce professional reports• Write about own experiences of learning• Improve group skills• Learn how to learn• Learn how to research• Mature learning and assessment

Imperial College: 23 June 2009Imperial College: 23 June 20095

How?• Committed core team• Course teams working together • Finding champions (external funding

helps!)• Engaging staff: developing staff, as well

as students four advisory groups• Detailed design• Front-loaded PBL• Post-Docs as facilitators• Training for facilitators

Imperial College: 23 June 2009Imperial College: 23 June 20096

Working together in groups

Imperial College: 23 June 2009Imperial College: 23 June 20097

ResultsMonitoring and review

– Weekly debriefs – Nominal group– Questionnaires

Key points from students+ Inter-disciplinary+ Teamwork+ Mode of assessment+ Realistic content

Questionnaire results+ More deep learning approach+ Better self-perception of understanding sustainability+ Very positive scores on student satisfaction

Imperial College: 23 June 2009Imperial College: 23 June 20098

Strengths

• Helped to prompt university strategy• Outside funding/recognition• Enthusiastic students• Enthusiastic post-doctoral facilitators• International interest

Imperial College: 23 June 2009Imperial College: 23 June 20099

Challenges

• Timetables• Funding model – transfer values• University merger

– Size of institution– Compartmentalised thinking

• Assessment - models changed between years

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Thank youBland Tomkinson

University Advisor on Pedagogic Development

Rosemary TomkinsonAcademic Support, Teaching Innovation and Development Adviser

Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Web links• Course details

www.eps.manchester.ac.uk/tlc/sd/• Report to RAEng

www.eps.manchester.ac.uk/tlc/sd/raeng/March09 UoM ISD Report RAEng.pdf

• Appendices (contain detailed guidance)www.eps.manchester.ac.uk/tlc/sd/raeng/March09 UoM ISD Appendices

RAEng.pdf