1. Conceptualizing Applied Probability through Project-Based Learning Timothy I. Matis, Ph.D. Department of Industrial Engineering Texas Tech University

2. July 6, 2006Slides Prepared for ICOTS 72 Lubbock, Texas -- Top 5 Flat as a Pancake Lots of Cotton Lots of Oil Lots of Wind Friendly Folks

3. July 6, 2006Slides Prepared for ICOTS 73 Overview of Presentation How I got here Project-based learning Developing “Soft skills” Implementation challenges Creating teams versus groups How we did

4. July 6, 2006Slides Prepared for ICOTS 74 Undergraduate Modules Students presented with a non-trivial “real- world” problem whose solution involves the application of stochastic methods Problem is solved in teams through an iterative model building, testing, parameterization, and analyzing process Each modules spans 3-4 weeks time A total of 6 modules were created

5. July 6, 2006Slides Prepared for ICOTS 75 Clips

6. July 6, 2006Slides Prepared for ICOTS 76 Pedagogy Based on the “How People Learn” research compilation of the National Research Council Creation of a knowledge-centered learning environment for the conceptualization and synthesis of stochastic modeling concepts

7. July 6, 2006Slides Prepared for ICOTS 77 Soft Skills Relevant Literature –R. Felder, “A whole new mind for a flat world” Chem. Eng. Ed., 40(2), 96-97, 2006 –J. Lang, et al., "Industry expectations of new engineers: A survey to assist curriculum designers," J. of Eng. Ed., 88, 43-51, 1999 Necessary “Soft Skills” for Engineers –Creative researchers –Design functional and attractive products

8. July 6, 2006Slides Prepared for ICOTS 78 Soft Skills Cont’d Necessary skills cont’d –Holistic, multidisciplinary thinkers –Strong interpersonal skills –Language skills and cultural awareness –Self-directed learners The team-based implementation of the modules helps develop these skills

9. July 6, 2006Slides Prepared for ICOTS 79 Implementation Findings A few revolts –3 weeks per module is very short –Hands-off approach can be dangerous A properly functioning student team (not group) is critical !! A properly functioning student team (not group) is critical !! (repetition for emphasis)

10. July 6, 2006Slides Prepared for ICOTS 710 How to Organize Teams? Many possibilities (student selection, random assignment, instructor social engineering, etc.) Poor selection and management will only create groups, not teams. Review of literature (2004 ASEE proc.) –R. Bannerot “Characteristics of Good Team Players” –S. Sauer and P.E. Arce, “Team Member Selection”

11. July 6, 2006Slides Prepared for ICOTS 711 Functional-Based Organization Three individuals and four roles –Team Leader – calls meetings, communicates with instructor, sets timeline –Team Engineer – performs all calculations and computer programs, manages webpage –Team Innovator – brainstorms and proves possible solution approaches –Team Doubter = Team Leader + Team Engineer – challenges ideas presented by the Team Innovator

12. July 6, 2006Slides Prepared for ICOTS 712 Hybrid Selection 1.Instructor explains functions to the class 2.Students rate their ability to perform each function on a scale of 1 to 10 (confidentially) 3.Instructor organizes groups using ratings as a guide

13. July 6, 2006Slides Prepared for ICOTS 713 A Few Tips Explain time requirement (approx 2-3 hours per day) to class on first day –Possibly give a pre-test to the class –Have a stack of drop slips signed and ready Don’t make a fourth individual the Team Doubter –Being the critic is easy –Negativity breeds resentment from team

14. July 6, 2006Slides Prepared for ICOTS 714 How we did 2 nd time Quantitative assessments available, but not displayed here Verbatim sampling of longitudinal qualitative responses (6 months out) –“It was a lot of work at the time, but I don’t think I would have remembered the stuff without the projects” –“I am surprised at how much I know about modeling compared to my coworkers at (prominent defense company)”

15. July 6, 2006Slides Prepared for ICOTS 715 Concluding Comments (with past sessions in mind) The instructor is both a teacher (lecture) and research facilitator (projects) – Session 3K This curricular approach is targeted to advanced undergraduate – Session 3K Manipulating large sets of data is critical and non-trivial in Op. Res. and Probability Modeling – Session 2E

16. July 6, 2006Slides Prepared for ICOTS 716 Concluding Comments Cont’d (with past sessions in mind) The modules help unpack, organize, and synthesize what students already know – Session 6B My opinion that the use of modules to create a knowledge-centered environment is only practical in advanced courses; yet the teaming strategies presented here may be and should be implemented in lower level courses