Using problem finding to integrate communication and design for student learning in engineering

This tutorial provides communication instructors with a set of design/communication activities that encourage critical thinking and argument. The design activities aim at the early end of the design process—the problem finding phase—where the ideas are unsure and in need of careful justification and judgment. This selection provides exigence for developing argument and evaluation skills. The design activities include developing a 20-minute design charrette and generating an RFP. The activities are evaluated as learning activities using William Perry´s scheme of intellectual development and David Kolb´s learning styles inventory to demonstrate how an instructor can enhance student learning by opening the problem finding stage of design.