Approaching work integrated learning through learning outcomes and evaluations

The  core  of  CDIO  addresses  criticism  from  engineering  industry  according engineering education having too much focus on theoretical training. Here, practice, and especially integrating theory and practice, has had a peripheral role implying students not being well enough prepared for the complexity of industry’s real world problems and solutions. CDIO aims to meet that criticism through especially illuminating on project based educational forms, where sections of the, so called, CDIO Syllabus point out desired knowledge and skills that are needed to fulfil complex enough projects in engineering education. That approach not only prepares students in appropriate ways for the benefits of industry, but also increases their value of being employable. CDIO does not explicitly point out industry close work placement in education, neither in the CDIO syllabus, nor in the CDIO Standards. Still, many universities strive after work integrated learning, in purposes of, e.g., employability, and real world preparation. Experiences show problems in work integrated learning due to several reasons, such as, establishing sustainable academy–industry contacts, strategies for project ownership and IPR (Intellectual Property Rights), and guarantees according fulfillment of academic requirements on learning outcomes.

The concept of Demola relates to a platform for collaborations between academy and industry with focus on multi-disciplinary student projects. Especially, focus is on innovation, where industry may experiment with new ideas at low cost. Demola has proved itself to be a successful approach, with developed templates for student-industry contracts, and process models. Still, to be an attractive choice for work integrated learning, the Demola approach also has to be clear with respect to academic contexts of courses’ learning outcomes, and course evaluations.

The aim of this contribution is to point out a set of learning outcomes in a purpose of clarifying on such set being an inherent part of Demola. That set, which is based on CDIO Syllabus, shall map towards a tool for evaluations, where the two-dimensional multi-valued tool ZEFsurvey, is chosen. Overviews, case studies, and discussions will be provided, where one purpose is to point out the adaptability of Demola in an international context.