Comparing Learning Strategies in Understanding Process Integration, Optimization and Sustainability

Abstract

Process Integration provides an excellent engineering toolbox for optimising industrial systems to achieve sustainability gains. However, effective large-scale use of such tools depends on effective education of new generations of engineers with the correct training and mind-set. Learning strategies refer to the different combinations of activities the learners utilise in their process of learning. Chemical engineering students often face the challenges in processing key concepts integral in the understanding of Process Integration, optimisation and sustainability. A preliminary survey of students from the undergraduate program from the Philippines identifies learning strategies they employ in better understanding Process Integration, optimisation and sustainability. These strategies help learners in analysing concepts, monitoring the learning process, linking concepts with one another, inferring meanings from context, and managing their behaviour towards learning. Educational best practices are suggested based on insights drawn from the responses.