Implementing Constructive Alignment in a CDIO-oriented Master’s Program in Integrated Electronic System Design

Paper in proceeding, 2010

This presentation reports on the design and implementation of a Master’s program in Integrated Electronic System Design at Chalmers University of Technology from the perspectives of CDIO and constructive alignment. CDIO is an innovative educational concept originating from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in which engineering fundamentals are stressed in terms of a Conceive, Design, Implement, and Operate process. Constructive alignment is a concept for creating an integrated learning environment where the teaching and learning activities are aligned with the assessment tasks to ensure that the achieved learning outcomes will correspond to the intended learning outcomes. In a process based on these two concepts, we have built a Master´s program that not only offers the basic theoretical background but also gives the student an opportunity to become competent in the skills that industry needs. Program focus is on the engineering process, on the technology platforms, and on the design tools and methodologies needed by the engineer to be able to contribute to the development of complex electronic systems and products while working in an engineering team.