Expert Panels as a Means of Engaging Students in the Applications of Human Factors

Abstract

Large class sizes make it difficult to provide meaningful and engaging opportunities to connect students to real world applications of human factors research. In an effort to address this, students in a senior year human factors class participated in a weekly expert panel, either as a panelist or as an audience member. The expert panel exercise mimics news conferences, panels and other media settings in a way that engages students and provides time-efficient opportunities to demonstrate how human factors principles are reflected in real world incidents and accidents. Initial experience with the expert panel has been promising and appears to be a valuable means of promoting a deeper understanding of applications of human factors knowledge.

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