Bringing theory and practice together in engineering classrooms

Raju and Sankar have refined the concept of the case study methodology in order to enhance the learning of real-world issues by engineering and business students. To prove this concept, a case study entitled "Crist Power Plant" is discussed in detail in this paper. The focus in this case study is the engineering management issues surrounding the planned shutdown of a turbine-generator unit during 1998. Halpin and Halpin evaluated the effectiveness of the case study in engineering and business classrooms as a means of bringing theory and practice together. They found that the case study method of teaching received favorable responses from the students. The comments from the students were sprinkled with phrases such as "real life", "real situation", and "real world". The authors believe that effective development and implementation of case studies similar to the one discussed here could develop the skills and techniques necessary for engineering practice and bring theory and practice together.