Engineering Cases are an additional resource that can add new dimensions to learning about engineering. Lectures and problems in engineering science are essential for the student to learn the fundamentals of the craft. Students, however, should be made aware of the real world relevance of the sciences they are studying, and how they can use them for decisions. The editor's note suggests only one way that this Case can be used.
Engineering Cases can be a source of anecdotes for the instructor or a source of real world engineering problems that the student and instructor can work through together. Where and how Cases are used depends on the course objectives, the nature of the class, and the instructor. Cases do not supplant lecture or other teaching methods. Case use is complementary and provides an additional, useful, powerful learning medium.
When using Engineering Cases, students and instructors may find better ways to deal with the technical problems than presented in the Case. This is because an Engineering Case focuses on how an engineer goes about performing tasks and obtaining results. It is not a technical paper! It is a written account of an engineering activity as it actually occurred, rather than a demonstration of the validity of a particular or "best" solution. It is intended to be a medium for classroom learning about engineering. Unsuccessful or incomplete efforts attempted before achieving successful results are often included.
Contributions to the Engineering Case Library or Case Digest are invited. Manuscripts should be sent to Professor Dekker (email: Don.L.Dekker@Rose-Hulman.Edu) or to the Editor in Chief of The International Journal of Engineering Education. Cases in the area of electronics and computer applications would be especially welcome.