Humanities

Lecture (5)

Learning & Creative Thought

Reference:
Paul H. Wright, Introduction to Engineering,
3rd Edition, Chapter (3)

The Successful Engineering Student

It is the student who determines his or her success or failure The successful student - Should have the motivation and perseverance to get the task. - Quickly learns how to make advantage of all resources offered by the university to enrich the learning process. - Has the interest to learn the engineering curriculum.

Resources for Engineering students

The teaching staff (tutoring, counseling,)
Library Computer Center Laboratories Physical education and recreation Culture presentations

The engineering curriculum include:

- Basic Sciences :

serve as the foundation of an engineering education.

- Engineering Sciences : such courses are strongly

rooted in basic sciences and mathematics providing a bridge between basic subjects and engineering design.
- Applied Sciences : these are highly specialized courses intended to equip the student for practice in his or her chosen specialty.

The Learning Process

Learning is a lifelong , continuous process.
We learn not only through direct experience , but also

by watching what happens to other people or by just being told about something .
We receive information from various senses: sight,

hearing, smell, touch, and taste

Determinants of Efficient Learning

1- The material to be learned: the more meaningful the material to be learned, the more easy it is learned. 2- The psychological state of the learner : a moderate level of anxiety is believed to be beneficial to learning. But extremely low or extremely high levels are detrimental to student success. 3- Learning strategies : rehearsal is one of the most popular strategies in learning. The more students practice, the better they perform. Preparing summaries. Writing answers to expected questions

Practical suggestion for learning

Regularly attend classes and laboratory sessions.
Be alert and listen attentively in class. Record points of significance for the lecture.

Do not hesitate to seek clarification on unclear issues.

Do your work because you want to, not because you

have to. Find time to relax and rest.

Differences in the Way People Think

In his brain dominance model, Herrmann identifies four different modes of thinking: A- Analytical thinking B- Sequential thinking C- Emotional thinking D- Imaginative thinking

CREATIVITY
Engineering is a creative profession
Every person has creative abilities Use our creative potential That which is used strengthens & grows

.. and that which is not used withers and dies .. Socrates Nurture and develop our creativity

What is Creativity? Ideas that can lead to new or modified useful concepts, products or processes

THE CREATIVE PROCESS

Recognition of a need or a problem
A period of intense concentration A period of relaxation or incubation The illumination, when solution suddenly appears Evaluation or verification of the solution

The Nature of Creativity

1- Creativity associated with profound and abstract concepts (Einstein, Isaac Newton)
2- Creativity associated with the artist and writers (inspired people) 3- Applied creativity associated with engineers and scientists

PROBLEM SOLVING & CREATIVITY

Beware of Fixation or Mental Set

application of an inappropriate strategy process to other possibilities

The persistent

Previous experience or knowledge may limit the thinking Keep your motivational level in a balanced state Must be flexible and open to new ideas and strategies Avoid placing unnecessary constraints on the problem

PROBLEM SOLVING & CREATIVITY

Search for different ways to view the problem
Brainstorming with other team members Solutions from other disciplines Divide complex problems into manageable parts Intense concentration, followed by incubation time

Be open to variety of problem-solving strategies