Using Problem Solving Preferences To Promote Teaming In A Mechanical Systems Design Course

At California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, Mechanical Engineering students are required to take a course in Mechanical Systems Design. It is a junior level course where students learn the fundamentals of machine components (gears, bearings, screws, etc); furthermore, the students gain experience in the integration of these components into complex Mechanical Systems during a weekly 3-hr laboratory. During the laboratory portion, the students work in teams to solve open ended design projects. Two projects are given during the quarter. For the first project, the students work in teams of three to develop and build a mechanical system to accomplish a simple task. During the second, a “paper” design of a more complex system is completed. The second project is accomplished by dividing the task into subsystems which are designed by teams of four. Each team of four is then required to select a representative to insure successful integration of the final system with other teams. Team formation is based on the student’s problem solving preferences in a manner devised by Prof. Douglas Wilde of Stanford University. This paper will examine the success of this team forming strategy not only from the standpoint of quality of design produced but also by team member’s satisfaction. The success of the three-person and four-person teams at performing the design tasks is evaluated. Assessment of the design quality is both quantitative in terms of measurable performance as well as qualitative. Assessment of team satisfaction is primarily through student survey feedback.