A Project Based Teaching Approach for International Exchange Students to Create Learning Models for AUT Students

An exchange programme involving Auckland University of Technology (AUT) in New Zealand and Wismar University in Germany was established in 2000 to foster international relationships between both universities, to encourage programme benchmarking and to facilitate student exchange through a five month internship programme. The students are engaged in activities such as creating visual and mathematical learning models to be used by AUT undergraduate students. They also learn how to successfully operate within a foreign environment (language/culture/social). Academically, the internship encourages a project based and independent teaching and learning style. Therefore, a problem based teaching and learning approach is used in the supervision of these students. The learning models are created using tools such as computer aided design 3D solid modelling applications (SolidWorks), computer aided engineering static and dynamic analysis software (COSMOS) and mathematical software such as MATLAB and Mathcad. Examples of learning models developed include the simulation of dynamic motion of a governor and robotic transformation of the end-effector. These models have been successfully integrated into the curriculum and are used as teaching and learning tools in undergraduate classes at AUT. This approach has proven to be extremely useful to motivate both exchange and undergraduate students.