Scenario-based eLearning to promote active learning in large cohorts: students’ perspective

This work presents results from an investigation on the students' perspective of the use of scenario‐based (SBL) e‐learning and their performance in a first‐year core chemical engineering module in a Scottish university. SBL is a pedagogy that promotes active learning by bringing to the classroom practical and industrial experience. When combined with online delivery, SBL can be used to increase students' engagement in large cohorts. The scenario developed and used in this work was delivered via the Scenario‐Based Learning Interactive tool. A survey was used to capture students' insights on the activity and the use of the software. These data were then analyzed in combination with students' exam performance. Two cohorts with around 100 students each participated in this study over 2 years (with 91% response rate in the evaluation questionnaire). They indicate that students fully engaged with this form of learning as it links module content with real industrial applications. There is, however, a significant difference between female and male students in terms of the enjoyment they derived from the computer‐based activity with male students preferring the activity over tutorials with opposite results for females. There is no relationship between the perceived level of difficulty of the scenario and the exam performance in either cohort. The majority of students identified that they developed their problem‐solving and analytical skills through doing the scenario activity. In general, the students found the software difficult to use which suggests the need to explore other tools for the delivery of scenario‐based activities

Computational intelligence based complex adaptive system-of-systems architecture evolution strategy

The dynamic planning for a system-of-systems (SoS) is a challenging endeavor. Large scale organizations and operations constantly face challenges to incorporate new systems and upgrade existing systems over a period of time under threats, constrained budget and uncertainty. It is therefore necessary for the program managers to be able to look at the future scenarios and critically assess the impact of technology and stakeholder changes. Managers and engineers are always looking for options that signify affordable acquisition selections and lessen the cycle time for early acquisition and new technology addition. This research helps in analyzing sequential decisions in an evolving SoS architecture based on the wave model through three key features namely; meta-architecture generation, architecture assessment and architecture implementation. Meta-architectures are generated using evolutionary algorithms and assessed using type II fuzzy nets. The approach can accommodate diverse stakeholder views and convert them to key performance parameters (KPP) and use them for architecture assessment. On the other hand, it is not possible to implement such architecture without persuading the systems to participate into the meta-architecture. To address this issue a negotiation model is proposed which helps the SoS manger to adapt his strategy based on system owners behavior. This work helps in capturing the varied differences in the resources required by systems to prepare for participation. The viewpoints of multiple stakeholders are aggregated to assess the overall mission effectiveness of the overarching objective. An SAR SoS example problem illustrates application of the method. Also a dynamic programing approach can be used for generating meta-architectures based on the wave model. --Abstract, page iii