Learning Activities
This is where visiting this site starts to pay dividends. We know from our research that engineering educators are very keen to help their students create great designs. We also know that many engineering educators and engineers generally, have not previously had exposure to learning about ergonomic principles (other than manual tasks). That many have not previously understood that their designs might actually be causing end users to err. Our experience has shown us that engineers have infinite potential to bridge this knowledge gap by opening their eyes to the possibility, using a case study approach.
We hope that you will use the provided activities to enrich your own and your students’ understanding of these important concepts. We have included a variety of activity formats to cater for diverse classroom situations. You will notice that the ‘content’ is similar in each but the outcomes, depth and mode of learning is different. Each activity employs active learning pedagogy.
You might like to start with a ‘Hotlist’ for open research and exploration, or a ‘Concept Builder’ for developing and refining new concepts or you might like to send them on a ‘WebQuest’ to engage them in critical thinking about the topic. A combination of activities works well gradually building the level of team work, real world feedback and problem solving skills.
Please use the activities as you would like. However, we would love to hear from you about your plans and any feedback you can give us from your experience. We will be building new activities to add to this site so constructive feedback is always welcome!
Reflecting on the human dimensions of socio-technical systems
This insight reflector was designed to help students reflect on people in socio-technical systems using ‘engineering in society’ concepts.
Hotlist: Developing designs 'fit' for humans!
Students are directed to explore the topic, their interests, and important questions that they might want to know answers to about factors that reduce usability in engineering design.
Hotlisting Ergonomics: Keys to successful design
Students are directed to explore the topic, their interests, and important questions that they might want to know answers to about ergonomics.
Hunting for ways to reduce design-induced end user error
Use this Knowledge Hunt to help students learn about reducing design-induced end user error. The goal is to get students to acquire defined knowledge about ergonomic design principles. The hunt takes them back to basic theory and application of cognitive ergonomics. The hunt aligns with Module 3 of the study guide below.
Conceptualising people as integral elements in system design
Students are presented with key concepts then asked to find three important things that are common
to each concept set of examples . Disastrous designs, simple and complex, are used as catalyst material for developing understanding of the key ergonomic concepts.
'Putting People Power into Design' WebQuest
The Quest (ion) is – What are the key ergonomics concepts that need to be incorporated into system designs? Students are required to problem solve key concepts which should be incorporated and the consequences of not including them.
'Disaster by Design' WebQuest
We recommend this WebQuest as your own starting point of the topic. The Quest (ion) is – What are the key ergonomics concepts that engineers should know to prevent ‘disasters by design’? The task is to develop ‘the seven golden rules for engineers to prevent disasters by design’.
So you want to learn more about people …
We have provided this traditional study guide for you, the educator, as background information.
Module 1: Ergonomics - the human factor (PDF document)
Module 2: Physical ergonomics (PDF document)
Module 3: Cognitive ergonomics (PDF document)
Module 4: Organisational ergonomics (PDF document)
Other learning activities related to OHS