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Connecting Learning with Students’ Interests and Daily Lives with Project Assignment: “It is My Project.”

Jung Oh

Kansas State University-Salina

Abstract

The General Chemistry course is a required or elective science course for engineering technology programs at Kansas State University at Salina. A hands-on ‘Periodic Table’ project in the General Chemistry course was assigned (1) to respect a variety of learning styles, (2) to foster connection between the basic science and engineering technology program courses, and (3) to connect student learning to personal interests and to have them enjoy an “ownership” of learning. The outcomes of this non-traditional teaching strategy were rewarding: (1) students were motivated in learning about the subjects, chemistry and various engineering technology areas, (2) students connected their personal areas of interests to academic majors programs and daily lives, and (3) many students in engineering technology programs incorporated kinesthetic learning styles for this assignment. In course portfolios and survey, students indicated that these assignments became enjoyable and valuable learning projects they were attached to in a personal way. This non-traditional teaching strategy has increased my enthusiasm to know my students on a personal level through observations of their unique talents and ways of connecting chemistry with engineering technology program courses.

Introduction and objectives

One of the seven principles of good practice in undergraduate education according to Chickiering and Gamon is to respect diverse talents and ways of learning.1 Among VARK (Visual, Aural, Read/Write, and Kinesthetic) learning styles by Bonwell and Fleming,2 kinesthetic style is observed as the predominant style among engineering technology students.3 Towns4 reports that applying Kolb’s ELT (experiential learning theory) to the chemistry classroom provides a theoretical basis for expanding activities beyond traditional lectures.

Proceedings of the 2005 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference &Exposition Copyright © 2005, American Society for Engineering Education

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Oh, J. (2005, June), Connecting Learning With Students' Interests And Daily Lives With Project Assignment: Paper presented at 2005 Annual Conference, Portland, Oregon. 10.18260/1-2--15098