TEAMWORK FOR ENGINEERING STUDENTS: IMPROVING SKILLS THROUGH EXPERIENTIAL TEACHING MODULES

Abstract - Motivated by a perceived deficiency in teamwork skills of graduating engineering students, a series of six teamwork training modules are being designed for each of the students’ first six academic terms. A careful pilot-revise-implement design cycle has resulted in the development of a number of variations of each module, catering to different disciplines’ needs for integration with the curriculum. The project is at its midpoint, having designed, delivered, and revised the first three modules: an introduction to teamwork, communication in teams, and team conflict. The fourth module - giving and receiving feedback in teams - was piloted in early 2017. The last two remaining modules are envisioned to cover teamwork topics at a more advanced level. So far, all modules have been delivered in host courses with instructors receptive to the need for teamwork training. It is observed that the modules’ success and long term sustainability depend on their ability to easily integrate with or wrap around existing course activities.