Experiences from a New Project-Driven and Outcome- Based Educational Concept in a Blasting Engineering Study Program

Abstract

Blasting engineering is a very comprehensive and practical curriculum. However, the traditional method of teaching this curriculum is relatively simple and emphasizes theory teaching over practice teaching, the introduction of classical methods over the expansion of new methods, and the training of individual abilities over the cultivation of team spirit. To address these problems, a new project-driven teaching method based on the concept of outcomes-based education (OBE) certified by the engineering education specialty was explored in this study. The teaching goals were determined based on the index points of the graduation requirements for mining engineering majors. The teaching process was divided into four stages, namely, project investigation and analysis, project parameter design, project report evaluation, and project display and feedback. The special subject on the deep-hole bench blasting scheme of an open-pit mine was taken as an example to explore the related work that needs to be completed by students in different phases and the related abilities and qualities that need cultivation. Lastly, the limitations in the ability training of students in the teaching process were continuously improved through an evaluation and feedback of teaching quality. Results of a four-year teaching practice show that the OBE-based project-driven teaching method not only effectively overcomes the drawbacks of the traditional teaching method but also effectively improves the comprehensive abilities and qualities of students.