Conference Session

Educating the Whole Engineer - Building Life Skills

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Amy Kindschi, University of Wisconsin - Madison; Patrick Eagan, University of Wisconsin - Madison; Paul Ross, University of Wisconsin - Madison

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Libraries

library liaisons participate in discussion forums and webinars.At about the half-way point in the MEPP program, students take Independent Reading andresearch in Applied Engineering (IRRAE). This project-based course requires online researchthat contributes to the participant’s professional and career growth. Although the projects mustbe practical, they must also fulfill strict academic requirements. Students are gradually won overto the idea of secondary (library) research.The Challenges of an Online Research CourseA successful online project-based graduate course requiring secondary research skills forpracticing engineers presents a number of challenges: 1. Establish the value of secondary research for practical engineering work. 2. Teach

Conference Session

Educating the Whole Engineer - Building Life Skills

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Christine Drew, Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Richard Vaz, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Libraries

Center. Over 30% of the WPI faculty are involved in theseactivities at some point in their careers. Interactions involve integration of information literacyskills instruction into the online course site as well as face-to-face consultations. Within eachBlackboard course site, librarians add a Library Assignments section with information forstudents on how to complete the tutorials, quizzes, and a preliminary research plan questionnaire.Consultations with librarians take place during the first three weeks of the term during eachacademic quarter. Page 13.646.4Online TutorialsStudents gain a basic overview of library resources available for