Environment for problem solving in engineering higher education

Industry demands engineers who are in possession of high level theoretical knowledge and at the same time skill in problem solving. This demand recently comes from virtual engineering system where theoretically and methodologically grounded environment provides effective tools for problem solving centered engineering process. In this paper, new approach is introduced to analyze possibilities for the application of virtual engineering systems as environment for higher education courses in engineering. After an outline of the recent problem solving in virtual environments, related work of academicals and professionals is compared. Following this, new education aspects in engineering systems are revealed. As main contribution of this paper, new methodological elements are provided for higher education courses which are organized in virtual environments. Finally, a possible way of definition for teaching program elements is explained.