Applying lean concepts to teaching and learning in higher education: findings from a pilot study

Abstract

This paper presents an empirical study based on the application of lean concepts to teaching and learning in student centered learning environments. It is based on findings from a pilot study carried out within an engineering course at the University of Minho, Portugal. The aim of this research is to contribute to the development and consolidation of the field of lean education in Higher Education. The main objectives of this study are to describe the model developed based on the application of lean concepts to teaching and learning and to analyze students' perceptions in regard to the application of this new model in the course of "Lean Enterprise''. For the application of the model, a pilot study involving 31 students, during 12 sessions of 100 minutes each, was developed. Data collection was based on online questionnaires to students, applied at the end of each class (for process evaluation) and also at the end of the conclusion of the course (overall evaluation). Findings based on students' perceptions suggest that the model applied was useful and contributed to improve the teaching and learning process, while at the same time promoted continuous reflection of practice by the teacher. Some recommendations for future applications and improvements of the model are discussed in the paper.