Concept learning by direct current design challenges in secondary education

This paper presents a mixed methods study in which 77 students and 3 teachers took part, that investigated the practice of Learning by Design (LBD). The study is part of a series of studies, funded by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research, that aims to improve student learning, teaching skills and teacher training. LBD uses the...

Models as artefacts of a dual nature: A philosophical contribution to teaching about models designed and used in engineering practice

Although ‘models’ play a significant role in engineering activities, not much has yet been developed to enhance the technological literacy of students in this regard. This contribution intends to help fill this gap and deliver a comprehensive account as to the nature and various properties of these engineering tools. It begins by inspecting two...

An Appraisal of Qualifying Role of Hydraulic Heritage Systems: A Case Study of Qanat in the Central Iran

Hydraulic heritage systems, both underground and exposed, have been known to be sustainable for millennia. Persian and also Roman aqueducts are examples of such hydrosystems. Their value is often overlooked but they have undeniable advantages: they have functional interconnectedness with their surrounding society and ecology, which sometimes...

An Authentic Learning Strategy for Engineering Students to acquire Integrated Management Competencies

Students and staff of the minor ‘Management in a High-tech Context’ at Delft University of Technology reported a lack of integrated learning opportunities in the programme. The minor offered separate courses on financial management, human resource management, innovation, etc., but was not successful in integrating the different courses into a...

Concepts and contexts in engineering and technology education: An international and interdisciplinary Delphi study

Inspired by a similar study by Osborne et al. we have conducted a Delphi study among experts to identify key concepts to be taught in engineering and technology education and relevant and meaningful contexts through which these concepts can be taught and learnt. By submitting the outcomes of the Delphi study to a panel of experts in a twoday...

Teaching and learning the nature of technical artifacts

Artifacts are probably our most obvious everyday encounter with technology. Therefore, a good understanding of the nature of technical artifacts is a relevant part of technological literacy. In this article we draw from the philosophy of technology to develop a conceptualization of technical artifacts that can be used for educational purposes....