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Session 3557

A Cooperative Learning Approach in Project Management

Majdi Najm, PE, DE Adjunct Associate Professor of Engineering Management University of Missouri-Rolla

A problem-based cooperative learning approach is described, focusing on a project management course taught to U.S. Army officers at Fort Leonard Wood. The utilization of modern tools such as the Web and computer-based instruction and assessment is highlighted.

Engineering and Education

New trends in industry and economy are changing the face of engineering education. Organizations are forming joint development teams that collaborate for the life of a project and then disperse. Quick response has become a major component of success in business and could be achieved by having companies join forces together and work in a virtual organization environment. To translate this to engineering education practice means to emulate the fast-track project environment, where group members are expected to operate as a highly effective team and deliver quality products on time and within a tight budget.

Providing such an environment for students to work in has been the driving force behind designing the project management course described in this paper.

The product-based-learning approach used in the project management course has been praised in many publications (see references 1 to 4). According to Professor Leifer of Stanford University, "Learning is best done by creating something, a product, that embodies our knowledge. This is product-based-learning”. He goes on noting that "PBL is defined as problem oriented, project organized learning activity that produces a product for an outsider". [5]

A background of the degree program within which this course is taught will first be provided. Then the course structure and organization will be described.

Project Management Course at Fort Leonard Wood

The University of Missouri-Rolla (UMR) is one of the four campuses of the University of Missouri system. The MS degree program in Engineering Management is offered on the Rolla campus and as outreach programs at the UMR Engineering Education Center in St. Louis, Fort Leonard Wood, Columbia, industry and government installations in St. Louis, as well as to the National Technological University (NTU). More than 2,200 students have earned Master of Science in Engineering Management degrees from UMR.

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Najm, M. (1998, June), A Cooperative Learning Approach In Project Management Paper presented at 1998 Annual Conference, Seattle, Washington. 10.18260/1-2--6988