Preparing Students To Compete In The Global Marketplace
- Conference
- Location
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Chicago, Illinois
- Publication Date
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June 18, 2006
- Start Date
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June 18, 2006
- End Date
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June 21, 2006
- ISSN
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2153-5965
- Conference Session
- Tagged Division
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International
- Page Count
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11
- Page Numbers
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11.1019.1 - 11.1019.11
- DOI
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10.18260/1-2--859
- Permanent URL
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https://peer.asee.org/859
- Download Count
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301
Paper Authors
Natalia Kapli Pennsylvania State University
Natalia V. Kapli is a doctoral candidate in Instructional Systems at Penn State. She received her B.A. in Modern Languages and Education from Novosibirsk State Pedagogical University in Russia and her M.S. in Adult Learning, Performance & Development from Drake University. Before starting graduate school she worked in both academic and corporate settings for four years.
Address: 315 Keller Building, University Park, PA 16802.
Telephone: 814-769-9014, email: nvk104@psu.edu
John Wise Pennsylvania State University
John C. Wise is Director of Engineering Instructional Services at Penn State. In this capacity, he provides assistance to faculty members and teaching assistants in the areas of teaching, learning, instructional technology, and assessment. He received his B.A. in Liberal Arts from The University of the State of New York and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Instructional Systems at Penn State.
Address: 201 Hammond Building, University Park, PA 16802. Telephone: 814-865-4016, FAX: 814-865-4021, email: jwise@psu.edu
Thomas Litzinger Pennsylvania State University
Wesley Donahue Pennsylvania State University
Abstract
NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract
Preparing Students to Compete in the Global Marketplace Abstract
As globalization continues to relocate technical engineering jobs from the United States to overseas locations, it is critical that engineering programs in the U.S. consider the development of skills and abilities that will set their graduates apart and allow them to compete with their overseas counterparts. This paper describes a new course that is intended to provide this type of experience for undergraduates. The course makes use of e-learning technology and active learning techniques to develop graduates who will be comfortable communicating across cultures using technology to manage projects, team relationships, and collaborative design projects. The course was pilot-tested in the ‘04/’05 academic year, with results from the formative assessment incorporated as appropriate.
Background
The increasing migration of technical engineering functions from firms located in the continental United States to overseas competitors has created an environment that calls into question how engineering undergraduates should be trained and educated. While some companies are battered and turn to overseas labor for relief 1, engineering educators look to foster creativity and innovation to enhance the engineering student’s ability to compete 2. The Advisory Board for the Leonhard Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Education at Penn State recognizes this global challenge and advocates that engineers truly become “world class” 3. The Board has made recommendations to the College of Engineering regarding specific enhancements that are necessary for our graduates to compete globally. As a result of those recommendations, Penn State is offering a new course – Professional Skills and Core Leadership Competencies in the Global Environment – that is specifically designed to respond to the aforementioned global engineering challenges. This paper will describe the design and execution of the class and the results of the course assessment to date.
Description of the Course
The course is problem-based and technology supported, and seeks to create a learning environment that replicates the geographically dispersed, team-oriented practices of engineers in the field. Among the tasks that the students must complete are on-line training modules with associated assessment, role playing exercises, and preparation of an individual portfolio that includes a short video clip in which students “sell” themselves to a prospective employer. The first iteration of the course was implemented and evaluated as an Engineering Leadership elective, and is a foundational course for students preparing for leadership positions. Its purpose is to ensure that all students develop an adequate understanding of contemporary professional skills and core leadership competencies that are needed to function effectively in today’s global business environment. These skills include:
Kapli, N., & Wise, J., & Litzinger, T., & Donahue, W. (2006, June), Preparing Students To Compete In The Global Marketplace Paper presented at 2006 Annual Conference & Exposition, Chicago, Illinois. 10.18260/1-2--859
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