Integrating experiential learning into Industrial Engineering curricula – a case study

The learning model(s) used in IE curricula are decisive for the intended development of competences in IE disciplines and methods. Aside from academic learning models the approach of experiential learning seems to be beneficial because participants get involved into a task, methods applied to concrete objects in a (nearly) real environment and there is immediate feedback on decisions and behaviour. In the paper, we describe an approach how experiential learning can be integrated in the discipline of production systems and factory (layout) planning at a very early stage. An accompanying research approach was designed to get insight into planning and learning processes. The gathered data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential methods. The analysis intended to answer the main questions: Do the experimental design and the early integration enhance student's understanding and practical utilization skills of planning methods? As a result, we got insight in learning and team processes and in the correlations between characteristics of the individual, the team, the task and the situation. This knowledge can be used for the enrichment of IE curricula with experiential learning settings.