Design and application of academic frontier-based approach in engineering courses

The reform of teaching approach has been the focus of modern opening educational reform and research. The real science thrives on both revolutionary and frontier progress that the textbook can not include. Based on the analysis of the characteristics of several the engineering courses, we build the academic frontier-based approach (AFA) for the purpose of combination of the basic and academic frontier knowledge by the application of the theory of constructivist learning. AFA is a learner-centred instructional approach used to promote active and deep learning by involving learners in learning academic frontier topics in an open and collaborative environment. The design and implementation of the approach enrich the teaching mode and the content of the key curriculums in depth, have an effective role in expansion knowledge, fun learning, and dig the potential of the learners in the group and team.