Using A Service Learning Strategy To Enhance A Course In Concurrent Engineering

This paper describes an innovative course in concurrent engineering offered by the University of Central Florida and identifies a critical challenge that has limited achievement of student learning objectives: student motivation. This challenge is not unique to our course. Higher education, particularly professional education, is struggling with students’ loss of motivation and engagement. The paper introduces the concept of service learning, illustrates how a service learning strategy has been incorporated into the design project component of the course, and provides an assessment of the impact on student motivation/commitment and attainment of learning objectives.