Learning and learning-to-learn by doing: An experiential learning approach for integrating human factors into maritime design education

Authors

  • Apsara Abeysiriwardhane Australian Maritime College, an Institute of the University of Tasmania, Australia
  • Margareta Lützhöft Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Norway
  • Samrat Ghosh Australian Maritime College, an Institute of the University of Tasmania, Australia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33175/mtr.2021.241912

Keywords:

Human factors, Human centred design, Maritime design education, Experiential learning, Active learning, Ship design

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of a study conducted to integrate Human Factors (HF) and Human Centered Design (HCD) knowledge into maritime design students’ educational platform and to motivate them to utilize this knowledge in their designs. Naval architecture students at the Australian Maritime College (AMC) were the participants in this study. Firstly, a classroom survey was conducted to determine the students’ current level of awareness and understanding of maritime HF and HCD. Then, an onboard survey was conducted after 5 HF-related activities during a 7-day voyage onboard the research vessel of AMC, MV Bluefin. The onboard activities provided the students with an opportunity to experience experiential learning, including all its key elements, based on Kolb’s experiential learning model. The findings prove experiential learning is a “paradigm of noteworthy learning” that supports multiple learning objectives of learners and shapes their knowledge through experience.

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Published

2021-01-01

How to Cite

Abeysiriwardhane, A. ., Lützhöft, M. ., & Ghosh, S. . (2021). Learning and learning-to-learn by doing: An experiential learning approach for integrating human factors into maritime design education. Maritime Technology and Research, 3(1), 31–48. https://doi.org/10.33175/mtr.2021.241912