Module 4

Problem-based learning and project-based

learning
 Problem-based learning
• Problem-based learning originated in the 1960s
• It is a teaching pedagogy that is student-centred.
• Students learn about a topic through the solving of problems and generally
work in groups to solve the problem where, often, there is no one correct
answer.
• ‘it empowers learners to conduct research, integrate theory and practice, and
apply knowledge and skills to develop a viable solution to a defined problem”
Key Characteristics

• Problem-based: It begins with the presentation of a real life (authentic)

problem stated as it might be encountered by practitioners
• Problem-solving: It supports the application of problem-solving skills
required in “practice”. The role of the instructor is to facilitate the
application and development of effective problem-solving processes.
• Student-centred: Students assume responsibility for their own learning
and faculty act as facilitators. Instructors must avoid making students
dependent on them for what they should learn and know.
• Strategies used: Using library resources, Using general reference text books,
Preparing for class sessions, When working in groups, each person looks up one
topic and then explains it to others etc
• Self-directed learning: It develops research skills. Students need to
learn how to get information when it is needed and will be current, as
this is an essential skill for professional performance.
• Reflection: This should take place following the completion of
problem work, preferably through group discussion, and is meant to
enhance transfer of learning to new problems.
Typical steps in Problem-based
Learning
• Presentation of an “ill-structured” (open-ended and messy) problem
• Problem definition or formulation of problem statement
• Generation of a “knowledge inventory” (a list of ”what we know
about the problem” and ”what we need to know”)
• Generation of possible solutions
• Formulation of learning issues for self-directed and coached learning
• Sharing of findings and solutions
 Project-based learning
• Project-based learning has its origins back in the work of John Dewey and William
Kilpatrick and dates back to 1918.
• Project-based learning is an instructional approach where students learn by
investigating a complex question, problem or challenge.
• It promotes active learning, engages students, and allows for higher order
thinking
• Students explore real-world problems and find answers through the completion
of a project.
• Students also have some control over the project they will be working on, how
the project will finish, as well as the end product.
Project-based learning
• In project-based learning, teachers facilitate and guide students through
the engineering design process, while students actively engage in
research and problem solving activities within a team setting.
• The students need to produce a solution to solve the problem and are
then required to produce an outcome in the form of a report. Teaching
is considered as an input directing the learning process.
• The problem is open ended and the focus is on the application and
assimilation of previously acquired knowledge.
• In a project, the production of an end product is the focus of the
students
Project-based learning
• Project based learning involves
• Knowledge
• Critical thinking
• Collaboration
• Communication
Problem Vs Project based
learning
Similarities
•Focus on open ended task or question
• Provide authentic applications on content and skills
•Emphasize student independence and inquiry
•Longer and more multifaceted than traditional lessons and
assignments
Differences
Problem-based Learning
• More likely to be a single subject and shorter
• Often share the outcomes and jointly set the learning goals and outcomes
• Provides specific steps
• Uses scenarios and cases that are perhaps less related to real life
Project-based Learning
• Goals are set and quite structured
• Often multidisciplinary and longer
• Follows general steps
• Incudes creation of a product or performance
• Involves authentic tasks that solve real world problems
Problem Vs Project based learning
• The difference between problem-based learning and project-based learning is
that students who complete problem-based learning often share the outcomes
and jointly set the learning goals and outcomes with the teacher.
• On the other hand, project-based learning is an approach where the goals are set.
It is also quite structured in the way that the teaching occurs.
• Project-based learning is often multidisciplinary and longer, whereas problem
based learning is more likely to be a single subject and shorter.
 Problem Vs Project based learning
• project-based learning follows general steps while problem-based learning
provides specific steps.
• Importantly, project-based learning often involves authentic tasks that solve real-
world problems while problem-based learning uses scenarios and cases that are
perhaps less related to real life.

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pPriKf1f2o
MODULAR DESIGN
&
LIFE CYCLE DESIGN
Modular Design
• Module means separate elements
• Modular design is an approach in which a product is designed for assembling in
module-wise fashion
• Modular products are the artefacts that are composed of many modules
• These modules function together to get the overall function of the product
• Modular products can be machines, assemblies and components that fulfil
various overall functions through the combination of distinct building blocks or
modules
• In a modular product (or modular system), the overall function performed by the
product is the results achieved through a combination of discrete units (modules)
 Modular Design
• modular design is an approach for product designing which is used to produce a complete
product by integrating or combining smaller parts that are independent of each other.
• With the modular design approach, a complex product (for example, a car) can be broken
down or divided into smaller and simpler components that are independently designed and
manufactured.
• Each of these individual components is then integrated (or assembled) together to form the
final product.
• modular design allows one to customize, reuse, upgrade, or maintain product designs.
• the modular product’s independent parts follow a standard interface to fit into each other as
the finished product easily
Modularization
• Dividing a product into discrete units
based on some criteria is called as
modularization of a product
• Modular products or modular Systems
are built up on separable or inseparable
units called as modules
• The basic idea behind modular design is
to organize a complex system as a set of
distinct component that can be
developed independently and then
assembled together to perform a
function
Modular Design Process
• Stages
1 Clarify the task
2 Establish function structure
3 Searching for solution principles and concept variants
4 Selecting and evaluating
5 Preparing design and dimensioned layouts 6 Preparing production document
 Applications
• Modular design is commonly used in various consumer
products like cars, smartphones, computers, and televisions.
• Other modular design examples include software
engineering, software product design, and even large
websites (with each webpage as an individual component).
• A famous example of modularity is LEGO. These plastic toys
contain elements that can easily be assembled and reused to
develop different finished products.
 Advantages
• Easy to customize products -Modular design products are easier to
customize according to individual customer needs or preferences.
• Faster to market-Modular products, including new products, are faster to
assemble and release in the market.
• Cost efficiency-The use of modularity can reduce product development and
testing costs for the manufacturer.
• Sustainability-A modular design architecture, by definition, uses reusable
components that can be used in many similar products; this reduces wastage
and adds to the overall sustainability of the product.
• Allows incremental upgrades-A modular system design or product can be
easily upgraded (for example, for better performance of a smartphone or
laptop)
• The application of the life cycle concept to the design phase of the
product development process is known as Life Cycle Design (LCD)
• It is a design process which takes into consideration of all the phases
of a product’s life cycle
• Development
• Production
• Distribution
• Use
• Maintenance
• Disposal
• Recovery
 Life Cycle Design
• The model describes the stages a product goes through in its journey
from creation to discontinuation.
• Products in different stages demand different strategies, be that for
physical products or for services.
• The Product Life Cycle is a management tool that makes it possible to
analyze how a product behaves from its development to its withdrawal
from the market, also considering its launch, growth, and sales maturity.
• It is like a product journey, or to refer to a more well-known example in
marketing, the customer journey.
Life Cycle Design
• Development Phase
• Introduction
• Growth
• Maturity Phase
• Decline
Life Cycle Design Approaches
Life Cycle Design Approaches
Life Cycle Design Approaches
 Why It’s Important to Understand the Product Life Cycle

• allow decision making with better support

• optimize marketing investments
• qualify sales efforts
• offer more control over results
• give better long term strategic planning
• offer better organization and process management
• provide more longevity for products
• give more appropriate preparation to face competition
• leading the market becomes a feasible goal
Life Cycle Design is characterized by three main aspects
1. The perspective broadened to include the entire life cycle
2. The assumption that the most effective interventions are those made in the
first phases of design
3. The simultaneity of the operations of analysis and synthesis on the various
aspects of the design problem
• The selection of design alternatives must be guided by considering
the main factors of product success (design targets), in relation to all
the phases of the life cycle:
• Resources utilization
• Manufacturing planning
• Life cycle cost
• Product properties (ease of production, functionality, safety, quality,
reliability, aesthetics)
• Company policies
• Environmental protection
LCA has three essential steps:
1. Inventory analysis:
Lists all inputs (raw materials and energy) and outputs (products, wastes, and
energy), as well as any intermediate outputs
2. Impact analysis:
Lists all of the effects on the environment of each item identified in the inventory
analysis, and quantifying or qualitatively describing the consequences (e.g.,
adverse health effects, impacts on ecosystems, or resource depletion)
3. Improvement analysis:
Lists, measures, and evaluates the needs and opportunities to address adverse
effects found in the first two steps.
Application of Bio-mimicry in Design
• Using nature to find sustainable solutions to human problems
• “Biomimicry” borrows nature’s blueprints, recipes, processes, and ecosystem
strategies and then comes up with design principles to solve our own problems
• An approach to innovation that seeks sustainable solutions to human
challenges by emulating natures patterns and strategies.
• Kingfisher and Bullet Train
Aesthetics and Ergonomics in
Design
Application of Ergonomics in Design
• Ergonomics is basically the science of analyzing work and then
designing items (tools, equipment, products etc.) and methods to
most appropriatelyfit the capabilities of the user
• Ergonomics design approach focuses on human comfort and
decreased fatigue through product design
• During the design phase of a product, all the aspects of the product
that can cause discomfort while using that product are identified.
After analyzing the causes of the discomfort, appropriate solutions
are incorporated in the product design
Application of Ergonomics in Design
• Ergonomic design applied to an office chair will focus on how much it
is comfortable for a person who sits on it during office work
Application of Ergonomics in Design
• A chair ergonomically designed for dining purpose and a chair meant
for relaxed sitting at beach will be different It is, because, the kind of
comfort and function to be provided by the chairs in these situations
are different
Application of Ergonomics in Design
• To develop an ergonomic design (for a product or system), the
designer will have to consider and analyse anthropometric data
(dimensions of human body), posture of working while using the
product, kind of movements and kind of workspace
• Ergonomic design involves every aspect of user-product interaction,
for the comfortable utilization of a product
Application of Ergonomics in Design
Application of Ergonomics in Design
Application of Ergonomics in Design
• Ergonomic Design Factors
1. Anthropometry
• Systematic measurements of
human body
• Variations in humans
according to race, age,
occupation etc.
Application of Ergonomics in Design
2. Posture while using product
Standing, sitting, reaching, moving and combinations of these.
Application of Ergonomics in Design
3 Movements while using product
Application of Ergonomics in Design
4. Kind of workspace
Application of Ergonomics in Design
Universal Design Concept
•The designer must recognize the special needs of different users,
including the individuals with disabilities
•The disability can be temporary or permanent
• Few examples for disabilities include broken bones, sprained joints,
pregnancyhandicap, differently able, aging, etc.
• Universal design is an approach in ergonomics design, which
considers all people; common and special people; who are potential
users of a product
Application of Ergonomics in Design
Advantages of Ergonomic Design
• Proper consideration of ergonomic design can bring lots of
advantages in working environment
• health issues can be solved
• Increase savings because of productive, sustainable and effective work
environment
• Reduce medical expenditure
Ergonomics
• Ergonomics is a scientific discipline that analyses social interactions and
their effect on other elements of systems.
• It deals with human factors that need consideration when designing
products.
• Ergonomics involves the use of design methods and principle data to
optimize the overall performance of human beings and integrated
systems (Green & Jordan, 1999).
• It forms an integral part of product design through various aspects such
as comfort, safety, ease of use, and productivity, as well as aesthetics.
Application of Aesthetics in Design
• The meaning of the word ’aesthetics’ is sensory perception
• Aesthetics is the feel that a human being perceives
• Humans have five basic senses: touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste
• When a person perceives a sense of pleasure through any of the
senses while using a product, then we can say that the product is
aesthetically appealing
• Aesthetically appealing products are intentionally designed to
generate a defined perception in potential customers
• Aesthetics of a product (that is how a customer feels about a product)
is a very important aspect for its business merit and acceptability
• Aesthetic feel (or perception) enables the customer to distinguish and
choose a product from similar products
• Examples for demarcation of percept ions are;
• hot and cold
• smooth and rough
• soft and hard
• heavy and light
• dark and bright
• sweet and sour
• loud and quiet
• sharp and dull
• spacious and congested
• Customers generally combine few of these feels (or attributes) and arrive at
conclusion of a product as reliable, enjoyable and precise
Aesthetics
• aesthetics mainly concerns consumers’ responses and
reactions towards products.
• Considering aesthetics in product design appeals to the
senses, thus determining whether a product is aesthetically
attractive or not.
• Simplicity, diversity, and colorfulness of a product are
elements that best describe aesthetics .
Question
Q1. Show the design of a simple sofa and then depict how the design
changes when considering 1) aesthetics and 2) ergonomics into
consideration. Give hand sketches and explanations to justify the
changes in designs.
Q2. Ergonomically design a vegetable knife for your kitchen, consider
gripping material, shape, safety and placement of knife.
Q3. Show the design of a simple cot and then depict how the design
changes when considering 1) aesthetics and 2) ergonomics into
consideration. Give hand sketches and explanations to justify the
changes in designs