Neera Jain in Forbes: How experiential learning can prepare students for the age of automation
As the COVID-19 pandemic accelerates automation across industries, there’s a growing need to prepare students for a world where robots are as commonplace as computers are today, Neera Jain, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, writes in a Forbes opinion piece.
“To thrive in the coming age of automation, students will need to excel at skills where humans, for now, have the advantage over machines, such as problem solving and creativity,” the professor notes.
Drawing on Purdue Engineering examples, Jain writes that the key is real-world practice through experiential learning, including collaborating to bring a new product to life, as well as participating in co-ops, internships and undergraduate research. “Experiential learning programs aren’t new,” she points out, “but they should take on increasing importance in the coming years if we want to prepare students for a future when robots might be their coworkers.”
Read the entire piece here: How experiential learning can prepare students for the age of automation
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