Hands-on Engineering: Learning by Doing in the Integrated Teaching and Learning Program*

An integrated teaching and learning (ITL) program was initiated in 1992 by a team of faculty and students who articulated an ambitious vision for undergraduate engineering education reform: ` . . . to pioneer a multidisciplinary learning environment that integrates engineering theory with practice and promotes creative, team-oriented problem-solving skills.' The ITL Laboratory was dedicated in 1997 to support this college-wide vision. This paper describes the development process of this new facility and its major features. The underlying educational value is also discussed. Outreach activities are described, including a unique on-line system where experimental modules are made available on the WorldWideWeb.