Integration of engineering practice into curriculum-25 years of experience with problem based learning

In 1974, Aalborg University (Denmark) introduced the project organised problem based learning concept. The experience since then has proven this to be an important innovation in higher education. This presentation focuses on the experiences from implementing this pedagogical concept in engineering education. The main part of the curriculum is engineering project work, which is discussed, including results from a recent evaluation of electrical and electronic engineering in Denmark. An international board evaluated all Danish engineering programs within Electronic and Electrical Engineering (five schools and two universities) and published their report in June 1998. This evaluation shows in very clear terms the superiority of project organised problem based learning compared to more traditional learning strategies.