TINKERING AS METHOD IN ACADEMIC TEACHING

DS 83: Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education (E&PDE16), Design Education: Collaboration and Cross-Disciplinarity, Aalborg, Denmark, 8th-9th September 2016

Year: 2016
Editor: Erik Bohemia, Ahmed Kovacevic, Lyndon Buck, Christian Tollestrup, Kaare Eriksen, Nis Ovesen
Author: Mader, Angelika; Dertien, Edwin
Series: E&PDE
Institution: Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Twente, Netherlands
Section: New Design Paradigms
Page(s): 240-245
ISBN: 978-1-904670-62-9

Abstract

In this work we argue that tinkering can be a vehicle to gain knowledge and skills profitable for
working in engineering, design and science. We analyse how to implement tinkering in an academic
context and illustrate our findings with examples from our environment. In academic environments
tinkering often has the reputation of playing around without plan, with unclear outcome. We argue
that, when implemented and executed well, due to its practical and iterative nature, its high
applicability and hands-on nature it can be a valuable contribution to design and engineering and other
academic disciplines.

Keywords: Tinkering, Engineering Rationale, Engineering and Design Education.

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