Improving Teaching Quality Through Total Quality Management

This paper presents the experience gained and the lessons learned while implementing a Total Quality Management (TQM) approach in teaching two courses at GMI Engineering & Management Institute. The primary purpose of this effort is to improve the quality of engineering design education. The many other benefits of this approach include increased student involvement, a systematic way to evaluate students, discernment and objective measures for teacher performance and the development of an environment of trust, faculty teaching portfolio and emphasizing the teacher as a quality manager in the classroom. This paper describes in detail several issues involved in the development of a TQM approach in classrooms. Specifically, it elaborates on the ground work needed to implement such an approach, development of a common shared vision for the course, the delivery methods to effectively carry out instructions and exercises to enhance student involvement. The courses included are mechanism design and automotive chassis design. They are required courses in Mechanical Engineering at GMI for the machine design and automotive specialties respectively.