Added Value Using Application Exercises in Engineering Degree Courses

Summary

In the field of education, we must see our institutions as turning out a ‘product’ whose added value, in terms of immediate capability and longer‐term potential, is judged by the customer, viz the employers of our graduates. Value is contributed by effective teaching and training methods and is primarily the ability to apply knowledge and perception in the employment situation. Such ability is not best developed by textbook transcription exercises, even if in themselves made demanding, but rather by application‐exercises which involve compromise probabilistic judgments and give practice in presenting persuasive argument. The associated assessment within the institution must, in turn, serve the role of ‘pre‐delivery inspection’.