Based Learning Promotes Critical Thinking in Engineering Students

Question: What is the Based Learning Promotes in Engineering Students? Answer: Introduction: As stated by Masek and Yamin, (2011), problem based learning is a challenging yet motivating learning approach that helps to create better understanding of the situation and help to resolve problems. In case of engineering, Management based learning can be regarded as the best possible way of designing the curriculum. Keeping the benefits of the problem based learning, many universities have been found to come up with the approach of teaching the students on problem based learning. Yadav et al., (2011) stated that complex cognitive skills can be taught to students and their thinking can be shaped accordingly in order to develop a critical cognitive behavior. The aim of this essay is to evaluate the importance of problem based learning among the engineering students that would eventually help them to make critical approach towards any decision. In fact, that makes them a better choice for the employers at the time of hiring. An analysis of the major reason behind it shall be carried o ut in this essay. Discussion: Reading Jamaludin et al., (2012) it has been found that problem based learning was introduced long ago in 1965 in the McMaster University in Canada. This was the beginning of the problem based learning approach undertaken by any University. Soon the problem based learning was started in other Universities as well. Problem based learning enhances the critical thinking ability for an individual because in such cases, the students are taught using various concepts, principles and procedure that would help them to come out with the best possible outcome. In addition to this, as pointed out by Savery, (2015), critical thinking helps in transfer of knowledge and when the problem solving skills are incorporated in the learning process, students are found to gain better ability to deal with any situation. The problem based learning eventually follows a number of steps. It has been found that major Universities often take the forum of group discussion and involve the students in it. The teachers and professors always stay there to influence and guide the students in the right way. This way the Students gain the ability to understand others perspectives as well and reach out a better critical approach towards the situation. This way the students can share their mutual ideas and information and at the same time the professor could direct them in the right direction. This way, the students are automatically made ready to face the corporate challenges and thus, these students are expected to act better than the others. In the view point of Masek and Yamin, (2011), that every individual have the basic critical thinking ability but the same needs to be nurtured throughout the life. Problem based learning is the best approach towards such situation and would help to improve the cognitive abil ity of the individual. The problem based learning process actually gives the opportunity for discussion, debate, sharing and most importantly teaching other. Through the process of interaction and reflection and gaining feedback would eventually result in the outcome of the best solution for the problem. The goal of the problem based learning is to foster active learning among the students and create intrinsic learning and motivation among the student that they would not face any kind of trouble when they have to work in their professional fields. Management based learning actually open up the scope to deal with real life problems and design or create a fluency that allows the application of the knowledge in varied situations. In fact it has also been reported that students who have problem solving learning skills receive overall satisfaction in their life in terms of job activities rather than those who depends on lecture and theory based education. In the view point of Savery, (2015), problem based learning is a natural fit for the engineering students that actually help them to acquire their skills effectively. There are more positive outcomes of problem based learning than mere classroom based traditional learning. As argued by Yadav et al., (2011), engineers need to tackle various uncertainty and complex problems in their professional life. This is the reason that they need to function effectively in terms of both communication and problem solving skills. In addition to this, it has also been found that there has been a considerable growth rate in the number of engineers passed out from the Universities. Yadav et al., (2011) pointed out that the pass-out engineering students are often found to complain about their pedagogy. They complain that the teaching method still remained traditional but the working technique has considerable changed a lot. The major gap that the engineering students face is the active working field but the passive classroom experience. The students ultimately have to suffer in their own way. Thus, they also expect that there should be a change in the way of teaching. It has to be understood that the engineers have to work for practical work rather than other means of act ivities (Savery, 2015). Thus, it is important for the students to develop that understanding that would ultimately help them in their professional field. As evident, the learning pattern of the engineering students is mainly deductive. They have to learn the theories of engineering and have to apply the same in their future professions. The professors or the instructors as well do not present proper information on the application of the mathematical model or showed practical skills towards achieving goals in life (Hung, 2013). Thus, there remains a clear need for the changes in the education system to remove the monotonous means of study and create an interesting and upstanding learning activity and experience that would link the learning with the real life activities. It is when the entire learning and teaching experience is matched with the actual professional experience there remain the chance that the engineers would do better in their career (Savery, 2015). Therefore, the need for the application of problem based learning increases. The employers also look for the similar approach because it is when the employees have good knowle dge and understanding about the particular subject, they would be able to act better than others. It has to be understood that the activities in which learning and cognition are deployed with the real life, those kinds of learning are sure to bring better results in the professional front. Conclusion: With the overall analysis on the impact of problem based learning, it can be said that it is important to transfer knowledge and application of problem solving skills to the novel situation and that would eventually increase the critical thinking ability of the individual. Problem based learning has become very popular in the major institutes or learning and the researchers and educators are considering this self directed learning skill as the most innovative and effective means of learning that could be easily adapted by major educational institutes in the recent time. It is when the students are grouped into three to five they are given the opportunity of self directing and guiding that integrate their learning experience. This way they shall be ready to face the industrial and corporate challenges that they have to face in their professional career. Thus, the employers would be beneficial in the same way. References: Hung, W. (2013). Problem?based learning: A learning environment for enhancing learning transfer.New directions for adult and continuing education,2013(137), 27-38. Jamaludin, M. Z., Yusof, K. M., Harun, N. F., Hassan, S. A. H. S. (2012). Crafting Engineering Problems for Problem-Based Learning Curriculum.Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences,56, 377-387. Masek, A., Yamin, S. (2011). The effect of Management based learning on critical thinking ability: a theoretical and empirical review.International Review of Social Sciences and Humanities,2(1), 215-221. Savery, J. R. (2015). Overview of problem-based learning: Definitions and distinctions.Essential readings in problem-based learning: Exploring and extending the legacy of Howard S. Barrows, 5-15. Yadav, A., Subedi, D., Lundeberg, M. A., Bunting, C. F. (2011). Problem?based Learning: Influence on Students' Learning in an Electrical Engineering Course.Journal of Engineering Education,100(2), 253-280.