Globalization of problem-driven learning: Design of a system for transfer across cultures

Kinda Khalaf, Wendy Newstetter

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Innovative learning pedagogies are increasingly used in the west towards equipping graduating engineers with the set of skills and competencies essential for the engineer of the 21st century. The successful globalization of such pedagogies in the developing world is key to educational reform and the building of sustainable knowledge-based economies. In this paper, we report on the development of an exportable model for effective Problem-Driven Learning (PDL), a problem-based learning pedagogy, transfer across cultures. The system is demonstrated using a case study in transnational exchange and cooperation between Georgia Tech (GT) in Atlanta, Georgia, USA and Khalifa University (KU) in Abu Dhabi, UAE around the design of a biomedical engineering course delivered using PDL. Although the underlying framework of the innovative pedagogy was adopted from GT, various local elements were implemented to ensure cultural compatibility. The main hypothesis postulates that cultural consideration is critical to the successful globalization of a learning pedagogy. Cultural relevance and sensitivity are critical to effective cross-cultural transfer.

Original languageBritish English
Pages (from-to)310-323
Number of pages14
JournalInternational Journal of Engineering Education
Volume32
Issue number1
StatePublished - 2016

Keywords

  • 21st century skills
  • Cross cultural transfer
  • Engineering education
  • Globalization
  • Problem-driven-learning (PDL)

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