Teaching Methods

The Innovation Field focuses on the combination of experimental teaching and individualized experimental projects, emphasizing innovative experimental methods, open experimental process and personalized content creation.

1.Advanced teaching facilities

The Innovation Field improves existing laboratories in information, network and digitalization, implements “intelligent production” from Industry 4.0 through the upgrading of technology, materials and processes and enlarges the application of man-machine interaction and 3D technologies in the process of experimental teaching. Students will be able to conquer Industry 4.0 from theoretical learning to operation and practice. For example, in the experimental modelling, we try to replace hand-led production of models by industrial-level robotic arms, so that students get the picture of the tremendous progress that Industry 4.0 has brought to design processes. In the structural design experiment, multi-material 3D printing is used to reform the structural design and fabrication method. On the basis of mastering the principles and operation of the 3D Printer, students will conduct modelling of structural components on computer and send directly to the 3D Printer to complete the actual structure proofing and multi-material assembly experiments.

2.Open experimental teaching method

The Innovation Field actively promotes individualized teaching and open experimental teaching, in which the dominating position in education traditionally occupied by teachers is taken over by students, to give full play to the enthusiasm and creativity of students, and let them conduct experiments actively and independently. In order to better support open experimental teaching, the high level professional teachers of the College join in experimental courses in the laboratories with lab technicians, eliminating the barrier between lecturing and experiments and between theory and practice. The teachers explain design programs for the students, and more importantly provide on-site advice on the feasibility of students’ programs in aspects of materials, structure, processing technology etc. in the genuine experimental and individualized courses. Both teaching and learning are engrossed in practice, forming an interactive teaching method with teachers participating in the whole process, which is entirely different from monotonous classroom lectures, so that students get direct experience and receive trainings to broaden their vision.

3、Project-based experimental teaching approach

The centre guides students to carry out experiments with focus on the core objectives of projects and improves their perception in problem discovery, basic design thinking and innovative design-solving ability through interactive and seminar-style teaching methods based on problems, projects and cases, as well as independent, cooperative and investigative learning methods.