Social design in multidisciplinary engineering design courses

Abstract

In this paper we propose a social design focus in multidisciplinary engineering design courses as a paradigm that can develop the human and social capital needed in modern undergraduate engineering education facing the current global challenges. In particular we propose the Social Intelligence Design (SID) approach. Social Design Based Learning (SDBL) is a promising approach that we believe helps to integrate many pedagogical techniques such as Project Oriented Learning, Service Learning, Research-based Learning, Entrepreneurship-based Learning and Collaborative-Learning. We explain how this approach has been implemented in two academic experiences where the collaborative engineering design is practiced between electronic engineering and industrial design students. We compare last year's experience to this year's. This approach also seems very promising for product innovation, entrepreneurship and social awareness.