Twenty-fifth International Conference on Learning

Abstract

Due to rapid globalization and constant changes in science and technology, Taiwan’s industrial structure is in desperate need of transformation. Industry 4.0 is such an opportunity for the required industrial upgrading. From k-12, the Taiwan education system is too focused on test scores already. Therefore, most students are often seen as lacking critical thinking skills. The Freshman Project has adopted the CDIO (conceive, design, implement and operate) framework, in which first-year students think about the appearance of future factories and production processes to set professional learning goals and provide motivation early in their careers. According to questionnaire analysis, this study found that the learning motivations of the students are stronger than those who do not participate in the Freshman Project. Furthermore, the results of the interviews indicated the Freshman Project enables its students to understand other people’s creative ideas while developing their own creativity and imagination. The Freshman Project’s learning experience teaches first-year students how to learn and stimulates their motivation even before entering formal classes, as well as guides them in planning future courses for self-enrichment.