Complete thesis - Murdoch University

was learnt in ENG260 to a different context: while students appeared confident in applyingthe knowledge they had gained, the master/apprentice relationship was assumed – they stillwanted to be taught.The next section describes changes to the Murdoch context which impact on this cycle. Thechapter then continues by describing, evaluating and reflecting on the elements of this cycle.6.1 Context for Cycle 1This section aims to provide the context for both the description on the intervention plannedand implemented, and the evaluations that follow. In order to fully appreciate these, theplace of the unit under study within the ‘organisation’ (ie the curriculum for the BE(SE)),the characteristics of the students who undertook it during 2002 and the learning and teachingenvironment need to be described.6.1.1 Curriculum componentsIn 2002 the curriculum model that had provided the framework for all units developed inthe School of Engineering was changed. That model is described in Appendix A. Themost significant change occurred in the final year. The capstones projects (ie group andindividual) were merged and effectively outsourced – students would undertake an honourslevelinternship with appropriate local industry, under the supervision of both an academicand industry mentor. This restructuring of the curriculum provided the opportunity toexamine more closely the learning environment in the initial SE units. The internship,while anticipated to be of real benefit for students transitioning to the workplace, placedthe academic in a ‘supervisor’ relationship with individual students: the move from formalteaching to (potentially ad hoc) learning of critical discipline knowledge was considered anissue that needed to be examined.6.1.2 Characteristics of teaching and learningTeacher characteristicsOther research within the School examined learning styles, and the match to teaching style.This collaborative work acted as a prompt for this teacher to examine more closely her teachingcharacteristics. Student performance in the previous offering of ENG260 also suggestedsuch an examination was warranted. Initially the MBTI as adapted in the Keirsey Character249