A Learning Model for Lifelong Education of Computer Engineers

It has been noted that education advances at a much slower rate than modern technologies. Rapid development of modern technologies has led to the increasing need for high quality engineers, but the Universities usually do not keep the same pace. This increases the importance of lifelong learning for engineers, especially those working in quickly developing disciplines such as computer engineering and specialized software for consumer and automotive technologies. The objective of this paper is to propose a learning model suitable for application in lifelong learning setting, aimed at agile education of engineers in the computer engineering field. One example course that follows this learning model is presented in detail. The learning model was applied in courses offered to computer engineers working in consumer and automotive industries. Learning effectiveness of the proposed model was measured by summative assessment in the courses. Experiences from learners that were collected in the end-of-course surveys provide insight into positive and negative aspects of this learning model. The overall feedback received from learners was positive and this may indicate that the proposed learning model has advantages over existing models used in lifelong education.