Collection

2003 ASEE North Midwest Section Conference

Authors

David A. Rogers; Orven F. Swenson

Laboratory Emphasis in Optical Signal Transmission David A. Rogers Professor Electrical and Computer Engineering North Dakota State University david.rogers@ndsu.nodak.edu Orven F. Swenson Associate Professor Physics North Dakota State University orven.swenson@ndsu.nodak.eduAbstractThe facilities of an undergraduate optics teaching laboratory that was developed with NSFsupport have been incorporated in

Collection

2003 ASEE North Midwest Section Conference

Authors

Charles McIntyre; Gary Smith

ofthe purchase and installation of the laptop computers, wireless network, and charging station.Quotes were obtained during the summer of 2003.The basic rationale for the CCL was: 1.) to provide students with exposure to the technologicaltools currently used within the industry, 2.) to offer faculty state-of-the-art teaching tools that willpromote student leaning, and 3.) to provide a classroom/laboratory environment that is physicallyflexible and reconfigurable. Valuable input was collected from students, faculty, and the CMEIndustry Advisory Council in order to determine the final requirements for equipment andsoftware purchases.Contained within the course evaluations that are completed each semester, we have addedsome questions that

Collection

2003 ASEE North Midwest Section Conference

Authors

Emmanuel Ugo Enemuoh

factorial experimental design having three or more independentvariables with replications. Three examples of final projects conducted by the students are: 1. Machinability Characterization of 6061-T6 Aluminum Alloy. 2. Effect of recycling on mechanical and physical properties of molded thermoplastics. 3. Test and Characterization of impact behavior of metals.IV. DiscussionThis approach of teaching manufacturing processes bridges the gap between theory andpractice that many students encounter in many engineering programs. The laboratory exercisesare designed to maintain the learning interest of students who are more practical thantheoretical oriented. In some cases where the lab on a particular process is executed beforethe lecture, students

Collection

2003 ASEE North Midwest Section Conference

Authors

Douglas F. De Boer

diagrams. These unique aspects of typography are bestintroduced to the students in the context of SMET classes. Depending on the freshman Englishclass to introduce students to typography would weaken the English course overall since morebasic and general concepts need to be covered in that class.This paper will explain why typography is important for engineers, that engineering laboratoryreports provide a useful forum for teaching typography, and will give examples of somegenerally accepted principles of typography that engineering undergraduates should know.Why typography mattersTypography is a matter of aesthetics. A dictionary definition of aesthetics usually cites the studyof beauty, creativity, and psychological responses to beauty. What then

Collection

2003 ASEE North Midwest Section Conference

Authors

Waddah Akili

modifications to curricula in conformitywith standards of neighboring Arab countries;(iii) availability of more qualified teachers;(iv)provision of special education for physically and/or mentally challenged students and; (v) theemergence of a more concerned general public with educational issues.(2)Teaching learning Issues: Despite progress made over the last three decades; there remainsmore difficult, harder to overcome, intrinsic traits that have persisted over the years. In otherwords, it is the traditional approach to teaching, practiced on a large scale- where students arebombarded with information, and little attention, if any, is given to proper learning. The viewshared by many is that: teachers are primarily dispensers of information in a

Collection

2003 ASEE North Midwest Section Conference

Authors

Steven Mickelson; Tom Brumm; Anthony Ellertson

attainable through enrollment in unrelated, stand-alone courses” (p. 2). Despite theage of many learning community programs, Tinto reports that current perceptions of learningcommunities have been based largely on anecdotal evidence and institutional reports orassessments described at conferences or national meetings. Recently, however, a study wasconducted for the National Center of Teaching, Learning, and Assessment that suggestslearning communities impact student learning in several ways:1. Learning community students formed study groups that extended beyond the classroom.2. Learning community students became more actively involved in their learning than did other students.3. Learning community students perceived their learning experience was

Collection

2003 ASEE North Midwest Section Conference

Authors

Ralph I. Stephens

ENHANCEMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERINGSTUDENT MOTIVATION, LEARNING, AND LEADERSHIP THROUGH AUTO RACING INTERESTS INVOLVING MULTIPLE COURSES Ralph I. Stephens PhD, PE Professor, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52240 ralph-stephens@uiowa.eduAbstractDue to student interest in auto racing, projects with racing were incorporated into fivemechanical engineering courses involving five faculty members, nine student projects and abouttwenty students. The racing projects provided outstanding student achievements along withhaving fun.IntroductionWhile teaching a senior 58:055 Mechanical Systems Design class

Collection

2003 ASEE North Midwest Section Conference

Authors

Beckry Abdel-Magid; Yunsheng Xu

opportunity to engage in a long-term open-ended projectthat involves deep inquiry in their field. The experience provides an intellectualchallenge that often fosters a creative spirit, a capacity for critical judgment andenthusiasm for learning. In addition, the research experience improves thestudents’ problem-solving and communications skills, enhances their self-confidence and gives them a sense of accomplishment beyond classroomlearning. Furthermore, it gives them a sense of wonder and discovery, ayearning for more discoveries and learning, and the skill of self-motivating andself-teaching. This in turn puts students on a path of lifelong learning andprepares them for continuous professional development throughout their career.Research is defined

Collection

2003 ASEE North Midwest Section Conference

Authors

Melinda Gallagher; Lawrence J. Genalo

as a leader in global affairs and to solidifying ourposition in the emerging global economy (Report of the Expert Panel for the Review ofFederal Education Programs in Science, 1993). Furthermore, this situation placesspecial responsibility on American educators to guarantee that students at all levels gainexposure and encompass opportunities to pursue quality science, mathematics,engineering, and technology (SMET) education. To ensure that students are receivingquality educational experiences in the above areas, teachers must be competent andcapable of providing their students exemplary learning experiences, yet many educationprograms are currently graduating future teachers that are unprepared to teach science,math, and technology. K-12