Design Science Research as an Approach for Engineering Education Research

A. Carstensen, J. Bernhard (2016). Design Science Research as an Approach for Engineering Education Research. 10.

2016 12th International CDIO Conference, Turku UAS, Finland

Design Science Research is a research approach that is widely used in information technology, but also in other areas where the development of an artefact is parallel to the development of a theory or methodology for this development. In our research we have developed the model “the learning of a complex concept” as a method to analyze learning outcomes, as well intended as experienced by students (e.g. Bernhard, Carstensen, & Holmberg, 2011; Carstensen, 2013). In this paper we will show how the model “the learning of a complex concept", LCC, was developed, and how design science research was used to develop a methodology that may now be used in the iterative design and analysis of learning outcomes. LCC was developed while designing teaching sequences in a course in electrical engineering. The model was derived as a means to analyse videorecordings of students’ actions, during lab-sessions in an electric circuit course in the first year of an electrical engineering program. Modelling is an engineering endeavor often taken for granted, as is also design (Mitcham, 1994, p. 220). However, since in design science research “the design researcher arrives at an interpretation (understanding) of the phenomenon and the design of the artefact simultaneously” (Vaishnavi & Kuechler, 2008), it seemed fruitful to explore the derivation of the LCC-model by means of design science research. The model has contributed to the understanding of learning but also to the design of learning materials, and design science research has improved the methodology. Can this become an especially appropriate methodology for analysis of CDIO-projects? What may be learned, and what is actually learned in a CDIO-project? How can “the learning of a complex concept” (LCC) be used in the iterative design process designing a CDIO-project?

References: Bernhard, J., Carstensen, A.-K., & Holmberg, M. (2011). Analytical tools in engineering education research: The “learning a complex concept” model, threshold concepts and key concepts in understanding and designing for student learning. In W. Hernandez (Ed.), Proceedings of Research in Engineering Education Symposium 2011 (pp. 51-60). Madrid: Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM).

Carstensen, A.-K. (2013). Connect : modelling learning to facilitate linking models and the real world trough lab-work in electric circuit courses for engineering students. Norrköping: Department of Science and Technology (ITN), Linköping University.

Mitcham, C. (1994). Thinking through technology : the path between engineering and philosophy. Chicago: Univ. of Chicago Press.

Vaishnavi, V., & Kuechler, W. (2008). Design science research methods and patterns : innovating information and communication technology. Boca Raton: Auerbach Publications.

Proceedings of the 12th International CDIO Conference, Turku, Finland, June 12-16 2016

Authors (New):

Anna-Karin Carstensen

Jonte Bernhard

Pages:

Affiliations:

Jönköping University, Sweden

Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden

Keywords:

Learning of a complex concept

design science research

engineering education research

CDIO Standard 1

CDIO Standard 2

CDIO Standard 3

CDIO standard 4

CDIO Standard 5

CDIO Standard 6

CDIO Standard 7

CDIO Standard 8

CDIO Standard 10

Year:

2016

Reference:

Carstensen, A-K., & Bernhard, J. (2015, July). Design Science Research - an engineering research approach to improve methods in engineering education research.:

Carstensen, Anna-Karin. (2013). Connect [Elektronisk resurs] : modelling learning to facilitate linking models and the real world trough lab-work in electric circuit courses for engineering students. Norrköping: Department of Science and Technology (ITN), Linköping University.:

Carstensen, Anna-Karin, & Bernhard, Jonte. (2007). Critical aspects for learning in an electric circuit theory course - an example of applying learning theory and design-based educational research in developing engineering education. Jornal of Engineering Education, 96(4, supplement).:

Carstensen, Anna-Karin, & Bernhard, Jonte. (2013, July 4-6). Make links: Learning complex concepts in engineering education. Paper presented at the Research in Engineering Education Symposium (REES), Kuala Lumpur.:

Crawley, Edward F., Malmqvist, Johan, Östlund, Sören, & Edström, Kristina. (2014). Rethinking Engineering Education : The CDIO Approach. Cham: Springer International Publishing :

Edström, Kristina , Törnevik, Josefine, Engström, Madelaine, & Wiklund, Åsa. (2003). Student Involvement in Principled Change: Understanding the Student Experience. Paper presented at the 11th International Symposium Improving Student Learning OCSLD, Oxford, England.:

Hevner, A. R., March, S. T., Park, J., & Ram, S. (2004). Design science in Information Systems research. Mis Quarterly, 28(1), 75-105. :

Kuechler, Bill, & Vaishnavi, Vijay. (2008). On theory development in design science research: anatomy of a research project. Eur J Inf Syst, 17(5), 489-504. :

Marton, Ference, & Tsui, Amy B M (Eds.). (2004). Classroom discourse and the space of learning. Mahwaw: Lawrence Erlbaum.:

Mitcham, Carl. (1994). Thinking through technology : the path between engineering and philosophy. Chicago: Univ. of Chicago Press.:

Takeda, H., Veerkamp, P., Tomiyama, T., & Yoshikawa, H. (1990). Modeling Design Processes. Ai Magazine, 11(4), 37-48. :

Vaishnavi, Vijay, & Kuechler, William. (2008). Design science research methods and patterns : innovating information and communication technology. Boca Raton: Auerbach Publications.:

Wickman, Per-Olof. (2004). The Practical Epistemologies of the Classroom: A Study of Laboratory Work. Science Education, 88(3), 325-344. :

Vince, Jacques, & Tiberghien, Andrée. (2002). Modelling in Teaching and Learning Elementary Physics. In P. Brna, M. Baker, K. Stenning & A. Tiberghien (Eds.), The Role of Communication in Learning to Model (pp. 49-68). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.:

on August 1, 2016 - 04:50 MAndersson

Design Science Research as an Approach for Engineering Education Research

Navigation

Design Science Research as an Approach for Engineering Education Research

Share this content.