A Multi-dimensional Model for the Representation of Learning through Service Activities in Engineering

Susan McCahan; Holly K. Ault; Edmund Tsang; Mark R. Henderson; Spencer P. Magleby; Annie Soisson

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Conference: 2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Publication Date: June 10, 2012
Start Date: June 10, 2012
End Date: June 13, 2012
ISSN: 2153-5965
Conference Session: Relevance of and Models for Community Engagement in Engineering Education
Tagged Division: Community Engagement Division
Page Count: 16
Page Numbers: 25.72.1 - 25.72.16
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--20832
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/20832
Download Count: 411

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Paper Authors

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Susan McCahan University of Toronto

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Susan McCahan is a professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at the University of Toronto. In addition, she is currently the Vice Dean, Undergraduate for the faculty of applied science and engineering. She received her B.Sc. from Cornell University (1985) and M.S. (1989) and Ph.D (1992) degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in mechanical engineering.

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Holly K. Ault Worcester Polytechnic Institute

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Holly K. Ault received her B.S., M.S.M.E., and Ph.D. degrees from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1974, 1983, and 1988, respectively. She has worked as a Manufacturing Engineer for the Norton Company and Product Development Engineer for the Olin Corporation. She is currently Associate Professor of mechanical engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Co-director of the Assistive Technology Resource Center, and Director of the Melbourne Global Project Center. In the fall of 2001, she was invited as the Lise Meitner Visiting Professor, Department of Design Sciences, Lund Technical University, Lund, Sweden. Her primary teaching and course development responsibilities include undergraduate and graduate-level courses in computer-aided design, mechanical design, and rehabilitation engineering. She served as the Director of Liaison for the Engineering Design Graphics Division of ASEE from 1995-8, EDGD Program Chair for the ASEE Annual Conferences in 2002 and 2011, Division Vice Chair in 2003 and Division Chair in 2004. Her teaching and research interests include computer aided mechanical design, geometric modeling, kinematics, machine design, project-based learning, service-learning, and rehabilitation engineering. She is a member of ASME, ASEE, and ISGG.

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Edmund Tsang Western Michigan University

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Edmund Tsang received a B.S. (distinction) in mechanical engineering from the University of Nebraska and Ph.D. in metallurgy from Iowa State University. Tsang is currently the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs and Assessment in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Western Michigan University.

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Mark R. Henderson Arizona State University, Polytechnic

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Spencer P. Magleby Brigham Young University

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Spencer Magleby is a professor in mechanical engineering at Brigham Young University and in 2005 was appointed Associate Dean in the College of Engineering and Technology. Before coming to BYU, he worked in the military aircraft industry developing tools for advanced aircraft design and manufacture. He received a B.S. and M.S. from BYU and his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin. He has pursued research in design tools and processes, team formation and management, design education, and commercialization of new mechanism technologies. Magleby teaches design at the graduate and undergraduate level and is interested in educational partnerships with industry. He has been involved with the capstone program at BYU since its inception, has worked with the Business School to establish special graduate programs in product development, and helped to initiate a number of international programs for engineers.

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Annie Soisson Tufts University

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Abstract

A Model for Learning through Service in EngineeringThe Engineering Faculty Engagement in Learning through Service (EFELTS) project wasestablished with a key objective to identify the impact learning through service (LTS) has onfaculty and determines how to encourage faculty to adopt this instructional method. During arecent gathering of engineering instructors involved in LTS programs a group was tasked withdeveloping a model for characterizing LTS programs in engineering. Our group formulated amodel which characterizes 12 dimensions of LTS programs. This model provides a basis forcomparing and contrasting programs. In addition, it can be used as a check list for developingnew LTS programs, evolving existing LTS programs, or assessing the quality of an LTSprogram.The dimensions are formulated to capture the qualities of LTS programs that occur across a widebreadth of engineering institutions. As such the dimensions need to encompass the broad varietyof program designs that are currently occurring as well as take into account future developmentsin this pedagogy. The dimensions fall into 4 key categories: Academic, Program Design,Technical Social Balance, and Management. These dimensions are described in detail and theends of the spectrum in each dimension are defined and illustrated.The paper discusses application of the model in depth and characterizes some example programsfrom our institutions. The results are used as a basis for comparing and contrasting the programdesigns.LTS programs are becoming more common in engineering schools. They offer an opportunityfor our students to not only strengthen their engineering abilities but also achieve learningoutcomes that go beyond what can be learned in a traditional engineering course. There aremany different, successful examples of LTS. Defining examples using the proposed model mayhelp faculty new to this pedagogy design a program that would be viable at their institution. Inaddition, this model can be used to characterize and assess existing programs. The goal is tocreate a model that advances this valuable pedagogical method.

Citation
Format

McCahan, S., & Ault, H. K., & Tsang, E., & Henderson, M. R., & Magleby, S. P., & Soisson, A. (2012, June), A Multi-dimensional Model for the Representation of Learning through Service Activities in Engineering Paper presented at 2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, San Antonio, Texas. 10.18260/1-2--20832

TY - CPAPER
AB - A Model for Learning through Service in EngineeringThe Engineering Faculty Engagement in Learning through Service (EFELTS) project wasestablished with a key objective to identify the impact learning through service (LTS) has onfaculty and determines how to encourage faculty to adopt this instructional method. During arecent gathering of engineering instructors involved in LTS programs a group was tasked withdeveloping a model for characterizing LTS programs in engineering. Our group formulated amodel which characterizes 12 dimensions of LTS programs. This model provides a basis forcomparing and contrasting programs. In addition, it can be used as a check list for developingnew LTS programs, evolving existing LTS programs, or assessing the quality of an LTSprogram.The dimensions are formulated to capture the qualities of LTS programs that occur across a widebreadth of engineering institutions. As such the dimensions need to encompass the broad varietyof program designs that are currently occurring as well as take into account future developmentsin this pedagogy. The dimensions fall into 4 key categories: Academic, Program Design,Technical Social Balance, and Management. These dimensions are described in detail and theends of the spectrum in each dimension are defined and illustrated.The paper discusses application of the model in depth and characterizes some example programsfrom our institutions. The results are used as a basis for comparing and contrasting the programdesigns.LTS programs are becoming more common in engineering schools. They offer an opportunityfor our students to not only strengthen their engineering abilities but also achieve learningoutcomes that go beyond what can be learned in a traditional engineering course. There aremany different, successful examples of LTS. Defining examples using the proposed model mayhelp faculty new to this pedagogy design a program that would be viable at their institution. Inaddition, this model can be used to characterize and assess existing programs. The goal is tocreate a model that advances this valuable pedagogical method.
AU - Susan McCahan
AU - Holly K. Ault
AU - Edmund Tsang
AU - Mark R. Henderson
AU - Spencer P. Magleby
AU - Annie Soisson
CY - San Antonio, Texas
DA - 2012/06/10
PB - ASEE Conferences
TI - A Multi-dimensional Model for the Representation of Learning through Service Activities in Engineering
UR - https://peer.asee.org/20832
DO - 10.18260/1-2--20832
ER -