FDTL phase 3 'project squared': learning through 'electronic projectwork' virtual projects and best practice overview

Amongst many schemes to relieve curriculum pressure and to allow delivery of a variety of related personal transferable skills and knowledge has been the development of the project-work theme. Here practice amongst course providers has varied considerably. Some have retained the traditional individual `Final-Year' project as the main mechanism; some now include project activity in a variety of formats, as an integrated and developing thread throughout other parts of the curriculum. With the publication of the first draft set of QAA benchmark statements in this subject discipline and extensive debate in the profession relating to the educational formation of electrical engineers, it is felt to be timely that a thorough study of this important teaching and learning method be conducted. This project on the subject of `projects'-hence Project Squared-has the objectives of identifying the desirable learning outcomes of project work in professionally-accredited degree courses, of identifying good practice in the delivery of these learning outcomes and of promoting implementation of these schemes amongst current course providers. The aim is to provide definitive, tried and tested methods of delivering an appropriate student learning experience that harmonises with the benchmarks of academia, professional accreditation and QAA. Although the study has a bias towards final year projects in accredited electrical/electronic engineering degree courses the study evaluates elements of good practice across the entire spectrum of project work in engineering programmes. (5 pages)