Integration of Industrial Field Trip with Video Project Case Study Assessment

Abstract

Engineering education increasingly emphasizes the need for experiential learning approaches that bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world industrial practice. However, industrial field trips are often conducted as standalone activities with limited integration into formal assessment, reducing their potential impact on student learning. This study investigates the integration of an industrial field trip with a video-based case study assessment as an experiential learning strategy in undergraduate chemical engineering education. The approach was implemented in Process Optimization and Energy and Process Utility Engineering courses at Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP). The methodology comprised four stages: establishment of industry collaboration and approval, student preparation, implementation of the industrial field trip, and execution of a video-based case study as a summative assessment. Following the visit, students developed optimisation-based case studies derived from actual industrial observations and communicated their analyses through video presentations. The effectiveness of the approach was evaluated through a comparison of student presentations with and without industrial field trip integration, supported by assessment rubric outcomes and instructional observations. The findings indicate that students who participated in the industrial field trip demonstrated stronger problem formulation skills, greater industrial relevance in optimisation modelling, deeper analytical discussions, and higher creativity in their presentations. The field trip also enhanced student engagement by encouraging active observation, questioning, and exploration of real engineering challenges. Furthermore, the video-based assessment provided an authentic platform for evaluating both technical competence and communication skills. Overall, the integration of industrial field trips with video-based case study assessments offers an effective pedagogical framework for promoting experiential learning, strengthening industry-academia linkage, and enhancing students’ ability to apply engineering concepts in practical contexts.