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2006 Bernard M. Gordon Prize Lecture *: The Learning Factory: Industry‐Partnered Active Learning
Author(s) -
Lamancusa John S.,
Zayas Jose L.,
Soyster Allen L.,
Morell Lueny,
Jorgensen Jens
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of engineering education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.896
H-Index - 108
eISSN - 2168-9830
pISSN - 1069-4730
DOI - 10.1002/j.2168-9830.2008.tb00949.x
Subject(s) - factory (object oriented programming) , capstone , general partnership , engineering , experiential learning , government (linguistics) , engineering management , engineering education , multidisciplinary approach , management , engineering ethics , sociology , business , computer science , pedagogy , economics , linguistics , philosophy , social science , finance , algorithm , programming language
On February 21, 2006, the National Academy of Engineering recognized the achievements of the Learning Factory with the Bernard M. Gordon Prize for Innovation in Engineering and Technology Education. The co‐founders were commended “for creating the Learning Factory, where multidisciplinary student teams develop engineering leadership skills by working with industry to solve real‐world problems.” This paper describes the origins, motivation, philosophy, and implementation of the Learning Factory. The specific innovations of the Learning Factory partnership were: active learning facilities, called Learning Factories, that provide experiential reinforcement of engineering science, and a realization of its limitations; strong collaborations with industry through advisory boards, engineers in the classroom, and industry‐sponsored capstone design projects; practice‐based engineering courses integrating analytical and theoretical knowledge with manufacturing, design, business concepts, and professional skills; and dissemination to other academic institutions (domestic and international), government and industry.