How LEARNING in ATLAS deviates from other studies. The attempt to promote a more useful perspective in our engineers.
An engineer applies knowledge to solve problems. Application is key here. Engineers learn what they learn, to fix problems, and to create. Without applying it, or knowing how to apply it, they’re not engineers.
It’s common practice, when studying engineering, to just learn the subject with a good amount of theory, to dip your toe into an actual problem, then move on. These problems, they will normally resolve with something very specific, they have answers. This sounds good, normal, and it does facilitate correcting these tests. But it doesn’t allow for the creativity, and the variety of thought that actual problems often require.
In ATLAS, however, we have a different approach. In Math and Physics we have challenges. These are broad questions, problems, which allow room for interpretation. Three students can look at a one of these questions, and have three radically different approaches. There isn’t necessarily one answer, either, as each takes different things into account. The problem isn’t presented neatly to them, in ATLAS, defining the problem is often the first step. To improve the quality of these results, teams are made. With more people, come different perspectives, new ideas. The roadblocks that one would encounter can be overcome. This dimension of teamwork is also a valuable learning opportunity.
In terms of evaluation, this isn’t necessarily the nicest way to present a problem. It requires each product to be looked at individually, to be thought about, to be talked about. There is no grade. There’s only feedback, ideas as to how you can improve. But this seems far more valuable than the traditional methods of teaching. You learn how to think of these problems in the context of a team. You learn how to apply your knowledge in a very practical way. You learn to view problems in a realistic way, breaking them down to the parts that need to be considered, and working up to a sufficient model. You learn to a much deeper degree. This is one of the many interesting approaches that make ATLAS worth considering.
University College Twente offers a unique bachelor’s programme, Technology, Liberal, Arts and Sciences, to top students. Visit the University College Twente website for more information about the college and Technology, Liberal, Arts and Sciences website for more information about the bachelor program. Or visit us during the open day, a student-for-a-day or an insight-day. For more information and stories about personal pursuits visit our personal pursuit website.
