Capstone Design Through Cooperative Learning

Cooperative learning activities for a yearlong capstone design sequence include many of the same practices used by design teams in industry. For this course, teams of 3 – 4 students solve an open-ended problem under the guidance of a faculty advisor and in conjunction with practicing professionals. Specific cooperative learning activities include in-class exercises, weekly status, approval meetings, team meetings, technical documents, program reviews, web sites, change control, prototyping, and final presentations. Assessment data from the students, faculty advisors, and industry representatives indicate that the course structure improves writing, presentation, interpersonal, professional, and higher-level thinking skills.