Conference Session

Technology Literacy for Non-Engineers

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Lawrence Whitman, Wichita State University; James Steck, Wichita State University; David Koert, Wichita State University; Larry Paarmann, Wichita State University

Tagged Divisions

Technological Literacy Constituent Committee

AC 2007-710: A CLASS FOR UNDERGRADUATE TECHNICAL LITERACYUSING LEGO MINDSTORMSLawrence Whitman, Wichita State UniversityJames Steck, Wichita State UniversityDavid Koert, Wichita State UniversityLarry Paarmann, Wichita State University Page 12.12.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2007 A CLASS FOR UNDERGRADUATE TECHNICAL LITERACY USING LEGO MINDSTORMSAbstractMuch effort is underway to encourage students to pursue careers in science, technology,engineering, and mathematics. There is a growing base of infusing these necessary skills andattitudes to stimulate the pursuit of these avenues as careers. There is also much effort aimed ataddressing the

Conference Session

Technology Literacy for Engineering Students

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Richard Devon, Pennsylvania State University; David Ollis, North Carolina State University

Tagged Divisions

Technological Literacy Constituent Committee

while it has become increasingly complex for those who produce and maintain technology. It is also pervasive and an integral part of growing up and being educated. As such the need for programs in technological literacy is diminished 5. The use of information technology in the workplace and the need to prepare students for careers that use information technology has long been the cornerstone of policies for the use of TL in raising productivity. This seems indisputable, but the market is a much stronger driver than policy in achieving this. Where policy can help is in reducing the digital divide that leave students from low income backgrounds stranded in low income jobs.5 It is also helpful in

Conference Session

Technology Literacy for Engineering Students

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Byron Newberry, Baylor University

Tagged Divisions

Technological Literacy Constituent Committee

, Page 12.660.2and interested in, careers in engineering is a crucial objective for the profession and one thatdepends on sufficient numbers of young people—and their parents—understanding theprofession and what it does.I personally support wholeheartedly the movement to increase the technological literacy of ourcitizenry and I applaud those who have made efforts to advance that cause. In fact, I havedeveloped and directed engineering and computer science summer camp programs for middleschool students, I frequently make presentations at schools and career fairs, and I have taughtcourses in the history of science and technology to college students from non-technical majors. Inote these things about myself only because in what follows I may cast

Conference Session

Technology Literacy for Non-Engineers

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John Blake, Austin Peay State University

Tagged Divisions

Technological Literacy Constituent Committee

sociology who studyengineering and technology. Just as engineers can learn from the historians and sociologists, thehistory or sociology major interested in pursuing an academic career in these fields should beencouraged to learn more from engineers about engineering and technology. While majors inmathematics and physical science will have more affinity for engineering and technology, theyneed help understanding the differences between their fields and engineering. Many math andphysical science majors go on to teach in secondary schools, where they are likely to be guidingstudents for whom engineering would be a good career choice, and they may be tapped to teachtechnological literacy at the secondary school level. For them to do this successfully

Conference Session

Technology Literacy for Engineering Students

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Camille George, University of St. Thomas; Elise Amel, University of Saint Thomas; Christopher Greene, University of Saint Thomas

Tagged Divisions

Technological Literacy Constituent Committee

interested in how gender affects career choice. She believes strongly in the scientist-practitioner model, using her academic background to solve practical problems and using her problem solving experiences to enhance her teaching. She has received an award for excellence in service learning. Professor Amel has specific expertise developing assessment plans and dissemination approaches through her work on the UST Bush Foundation Grant. She has completed pedagogical presentations and publications about international education and service learning.Christopher Greene, University of Saint Thomas Dr. Chris Greene comes to the University of St. Thomas following a 20+ year career in industry

Conference Session

Technology Literacy for Non-Engineers

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

AnnMarie Thomas, University of Saint Thomas; Mark Breitenberg, Art Center College of Design

Tagged Divisions

Technological Literacy Constituent Committee

Arts andSciences classes are relevant to their future careers as artists and designers. Byintegrating discipline specific elements into their final projects, the importance oftechnological literacy, particularly basic engineering principles, is hopefully conveyed.Our best metric for judging whether this goal was accomplished is by looking at the endof term evaluations, particularly those questions which ask students whether the course isrelevant to their studio work, and whether they would recommend it to other students in Page 12.635.10their major. As can be seen in the Evaluations section of this paper, the response to thoseevaluation questions has

Conference Session

Technology Literacy for Non-Engineers

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Barbara Oakley, Oakland University; Lorenzo Smith, Oakland University; Yin-ping (Daniel) Chang, Oakland University

Tagged Divisions

Technological Literacy Constituent Committee

://www.themorningnews.org/archives/personalities/birnbaum_v_henry_petroski.php. Accessed Jan 7, 2007.6. L. S. Anderson, K. A. Gilbride, "Image of engineering among Canadian high school students." http://www.ccwestt.org/cnu5news/images/Image_of_Engineering_Among_Secondary_Students.p df. Accessed December 28, 2006.7. C. Baillie, "Motivation and attrition in engineering students," European Journal of Engineering Education, 2000;25(2):145-155.8. P. Patel-Predd, "Careers: A League Of Extraordinary Women," Spectrum, IEEE, 2005;42(10):59- 61.9. G. Waterworth, "Renaming And Restructuring In Engineering Education." http://www.hull.ac.uk/engprogress/Prog1Papers/LMUgwaterworth.pdf. Accessed December 29, 2006.10. Heather B