Embracing ambiguity: agile insights for sustainability in engineering in traditional higher education and in technical and vocational education and training

Towey, Dave, Walker, James and Ng, Ricky (2019) Embracing ambiguity: agile insights for sustainability in engineering in traditional higher education and in technical and vocational education and training. Interactive Technology and Smart Education . ISSN 1741-5659

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Abstract

Embracing reflective practice and retrospection, with a goal of identifying commonalities, this paper examines delivery of engineering subjects in both traditional higher education (THE) and technical and vocational education and training (TVET).

Reflections on actions and autoethnography were employed to examine the teaching and learning experiences of three educators across two higher education (HE) institutions (HEIs), in the greater Chinese context. Literature reviews and historical contexts are outlined to support the approaches and insights identified.

The paper presents a number of common characteristics and challenges identified across both THE and TVET. Drawing on the successful embrace of ambiguity and change in recent software engineering (SE) development paradigms, recommendations are then made for how the agile SE themes can be applied in a larger sense to address the wider challenges facing both THE and TVET.

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time engineering education has been examined and contrasted in the contexts of THE and TVET. The similarities and common challenges may represent a new focus for related work, and the presented insights, from agile methodologies in software engineering, represent a new perspective for viewing future HE and TVET sustainability.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: Dave Towey, James Walker, Ricky Ng, (2019) "Embracing ambiguity: Agile insights for sustainability in engineering in traditional higher education and in technical and vocational education and training", Interactive Technology and Smart Education, https://doi.org/10.1108/ITSE-10-2018-0088
Keywords: Higher Education; Technical and Vocational Education and Training(TVET); Technology-enhanced Learning (TEL); Open and Flexible Learning; Open Educational Resources (OERs); Reflection
Schools/Departments: University of Nottingham Ningbo China > Faculty of Science and Engineering > School of Computer Science
University of Nottingham Ningbo China > Faculty of Science and Engineering > Department of Civil Engineering
Identification Number: 10.1108/ITSE-10-2018-0088
Depositing User: QIU, Lulu
Date Deposited: 15 Feb 2019 11:55
Last Modified: 15 Apr 2019 11:08
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/56117

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