Conference Session

FPD VI: Presenting "All the Best" of the First-year Programs Division

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Lorelle A. Meadows, University of Michigan; Robin Fowler, University of Michigan; Elizabeth S. Hildinger, University of Michigan

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

measures of success for under-represented minority engineering students, including programs administered at the college levelthat include financial assistance, academic intervention, and graduate school preparation andadmission.These studies and resources all point to the need for a transition in engineering undergraduateeducation in the US from the traditional emphasis on the acquisition of technical knowledge tothe integration of innovative learning experiences that more accurately reflect current practiceand more effectively prepare students to meet these demands and to be successful practitioners1.Curricular settings that encourage cognitive and professional growth include hands-on learning,laboratory instruction, and authentic or relevant

Conference Session

FPD V: Increasing Engagement and Motivation of First-year Students

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Carrie Robinson, Arizona State University; James Collofello, Arizona State University

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

% Page 25.1455.4We have been particularly pleased with the number of female participants in the program, whichexceeds our overall female population of about 25%. Given the important peer-mentoring role,the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering will place more emphasis on selecting a diverse UGTApool in the future. Though more ethnic diversity is needed, female students have been wellrepresented in the UGTA program, creating a stronger peer-modeling environment. One UGTAeven noted in her final reflection paper, “my favorite part of this experience was to be able toshow these freshmen that a girl can be just as successful as a guy in the computer engineeringfield.”UGTA training and preparationUnlike programs in many other places, our recognition of

Conference Session

FPD III: Innovation in Design in the First Year

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Susan K. Donohue, University of Virginia

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

following objective common to all sectionsof ENGR 1620, Introduction to Engineering, be achieved? Objective #1: Introduce students to the real world of engineering and design Outcome #1: Understand and apply the structured approach used by engineers to solve open-ended design problems11Assessment and evaluation of student abilities to internalize and eventually “own” theengineering design process is done with a mixed methods approach. Improvement in definingproblems and designing solutions is tracked through performance on appropriate sections ofdocumentation deliverables and exam questions; qualitative evaluation of reflections on thechallenge and process in student engineering notebooks is used to validate

Conference Session

FPD VII: Research on First-year Programs Part II

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Janet Callahan, Boise State University; Doug Bullock, Boise State University; Seung Youn Chyung, Boise State University

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

Both Sides of the Equation: Learner and TeacherAbstractAn engineering professor decided to retake a first-semester calculus course under thetutelage of the chair of mathematics at Boise State University. While completing thecourse with 37 other students, she had in-depth experiences as a student of a calculusclass as well as an experienced educator with a strong background on STEM retention.During the course, she recorded her observations and experiences in the classroom. Themath professor also shared reflections on his teaching, observations of his students, andperspectives on the influence of her presence in his class.The two professors’ reflections enabled us to identify a set of student assumptions andlearning

Conference Session

FPD IX: Research on First-year Programs Part III

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Federica Robinson-Bryant, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

social media in comparisonto other in-person interactions. In response to this shift from the more traditional tendencies ofstudents, educators have been somewhat coerced into implementing Internet-based technologiesinto their course curriculum.Web logs (also known as blogs) are one of the emergent Web 2.0 technologies being used. Thisonline, computer-mediated communication tool (CMC) allows users to publish information inthe form of posts, comments and self-reflection. It is driven by user-generated content and isavailable in several formats. The type of information that may be exchanged in a blog rangesfrom text, pictures, hyperlinks, audio, video, images and other formats2. Although single userblogs seem more common in the past, recent

Conference Session

FPD V: Increasing Engagement and Motivation of First-year Students

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Katherine S. Zerda, University of Houston; Diana G. de la Rosa-Pohl, University of Houston; Stuart A. Long, University of Houston; Fritz J. Claydon, University of Houston

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

oftenhave college-educated parents who can help them navigate the transition into university.Regardless of this apparent advantage, our experience is that Honors students too often leavewithout completing an engineering degree. Thus HEP students, just like their PROMEScounterparts, benefit from participation in a community of peers and supportive faculty and staffirrespective of family support or financial circumstances. Page 25.749.2 Participation in both of these communities is voluntary and therefore one might argue that anydifferences in outcomes for participating students are a reflection of self-selection. Our dataindicate that there is no

Conference Session

FPD IX: Research on First-year Programs Part III

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Richard M. Bennett, University of Tennessee, Knoxville; William Schleter, University of Tennessee, Knoxville; D. Raj Raman, Iowa State University

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

on students who scored below a 70, which was the range with the most difference inprogram requirements. In terms of participation, 82% of the students who scored below a 70participated in the SEP program in Fall 2010, while only 73% participated in Fall 2011. We arenot sure if this drop reflects a difference in attitude of the students, or is reflecting somethingabout the new program. However, 18 of the 80 students who participated in the Fall 2010 SEPprogram completed less than 25% of the requirements. If these students are not considered asfull participants, then only 65% fully participated in the program in Fall 2010, or slightly lessthan in Fall 2011. We conclude that the form of the SEP program did not have a significantimpact on the

Conference Session

FPD IV: Innovative Curriculum Elements of Successful First-year Courses

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John C. Moosbrugger, Clarkson University; Jan DeWaters, Clarkson University; Melissa Carole Richards, Clarkson University; Elisabeth A. Chapman, Clarkson University

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

whenthey made up more than a third of the class. The grade point average of the NMs was higher thanthe 1stYEs in both semesters, though only slightly, probably reflecting a higher level of maturityand more fully developed verbal/communication skills. Unfortunately, the much lower fractionof approximately one NM/seven 1stYEs in the fall semester roll-out is likely to continue to Page 25.34.12prevail as it represents more closely the steady state demand. Nevertheless, enrollment ofBusiness School and Arts and Science School majors adds a multidisciplinary element to thecourse through the student cohort that goes beyond the fact that multiple

Conference Session

FPD V: Increasing Engagement and Motivation of First-year Students

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Angela Thompson P.E., University of Louisville; Patricia A. Ralston, University of Louisville; Jeffrey Lloyd Hieb, University of Louisville

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

assumptions?” Thestandards are used to evaluate the elements, “Are the assumptions valid?” Traits are used to describethe characteristics of a good critical thinker, and are the most subtle. Figure 1. The Paul-Elder Framework of critical thinking1. Page 25.529.3Various instruction methods have proven effective in encouraging critical thinking in engineeringstudents. In a review of the educational literature, Cooney et al. found two primary areas for bestpractices in critical thinking education: writing for reflection and problem-based learning2. Similarly,Romkey and Cheng highlighted interdisciplinary problems, open-ended

Conference Session

FPD V: Increasing Engagement and Motivation of First-year Students

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Isaac W. Wait, Marshall University

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

activity that has been developed, andoutline the pedagogical benefits that can arise in an environment that promotes critical thinkingby employing a sequence of staged questioning, student reflection, and instruction offundamental concepts in the context of practical hands-on activities.The benefits of exposing freshman engineering students to design are important and varied.Improvements in the understanding of fundamental concepts2, specific skills and body of Page 25.1167.2knowledge3 and increased attainment of the program outcomes associated with accreditation4 areassociated with freshman design project implementation. In the eyes of new

Conference Session

FPD III: Innovation in Design in the First Year

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Andrew Lau, Pennsylvania State University, University Park; Tara Lynn Sulewski, Pennsylvania State University, University Park

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

meeting is fortwo 50-minute periods which is twice that for a lecture-based course, reflecting the hands-onpracticum nature of EDSGN 100. At University Park, our facilities for the course allow for oneof the weekly meetings to be in a typical technology classroom with a computer tied to aprojector, and flexible seating with tables and chairs that can be moved around. Another class isin a room that has lab benches designed for each team to have a bench and two computers. Thisroom, called the “design lab,” also has a main computer with projector, as well as testing andmeasurement equipment. Adjacent to it is a workshop with woodworking tools that students canuse to make prototypes. This workshop also has a rapid prototyper that students can use

Conference Session

FPD II: Hands-on Curriculum in the First Year

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Stephen W. McKnight, Northeastern University; Michael E. Pelletier, Northern Essex Community College; Paula G. Leventman, Northeastern University

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

Assessment (“What Challenging 16have you enjoyed about the HTT&T projects?” and Boring 4“What suggestions do you have to improve the Sense of 18experience for the future?”) elicited comments about accomplishmenthow satisfying it was to see changes in code reflected *Number of students – out of a total ofin the response of the instruments and a desire to see Page 25.46.12more hands-on projects. 29 – who checked given response

Conference Session

First-year Programs Poster Session

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Deborah Worley, University of North Dakota; Jeremiah J. Neubert, University of North Dakota; Naima Kaabouch, University of North Dakota; Mohammad Khavanin, University of North Dakota

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

confident” in their mathematical abilities,“somewhat prepared” to take calculus, and “somewhat confident” in their ability to succeed inengineering after taking the summer bridge course. One student reflected a feeling of “veryconfident” in mathematical abilities, “very prepared” to take calculus, and “extremely confident”in ability to succeed in engineering after taking the summer bridge course.Engineering retention ratesAlthough student records have not yet been received to determine enrollment patterns in mathand engineering courses and academic major selection following bridge course completion, wereviewed student responses to questions about intent to take math and engineering courses, aswell as identification of intended major. This line of

Conference Session

First-year Programs Poster Session

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Stephen Rippon, Arizona State University; James Collofello, Arizona State University; Robin R. Hammond, Arizona State University

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

turnout ofmore than 610 engineering freshmen which was a good compromise between our two fears: thatvery few students would attend or that all 1,137 of our freshmen would show and overwhelmboth our facility and our industry partners.In reflecting on the inaugural Freshman Career Exploration Evening, it occurred to us that theevent seemed to have taken place in a vacuum with little actual and deliberate ties to otherlearning and developmental experiences that our engineering freshmen encounter. With this inmind while preparing for the 2011 event, the ASU Engineering Career Center developed amultifaceted freshman career exploration curriculum that plugged into the engineering successcourses starting that fall. The Freshman Career Exploration

Conference Session

FPD IV: Innovative Curriculum Elements of Successful First-year Courses

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Gregory Warren Bucks, Ohio Northern University; William C. Oakes, Purdue University, West Lafayette

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

of LearningStyles (ILS). This model categorizes a student’s learning style preference based on fourdimensions: sensing versus intuitive, visual versus verbal, active versus reflective, and sequentialversus global. For learning programming content, the two most important scales are the visualversus verbal scale and the sensing versus intuitive scale.Numerous studies have looked at the learning styles preferences of engineering students [6-8]and have shown that the preferences are consistent across populations [9]. These studies havefound that engineering students tend to prefer more visual and sensing ways of learning.However, most programming languages taught in introductory courses are text-based, whichproduces a mismatch between the

Conference Session

FPD XI: Tidbits and Cookies

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Thomas J. Vasko, Central Connecticut State University; Peter F. Baumann, Central Connecticut State University

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

students from high school to college  Increased academic success (reflected in higher GPA, fewer academic probations, improved student satisfaction)  Recruitment and retention of stronger students  Enhanced interactions between studentsOur university website explains [36] that “our Living-Learning Communities (LLC’s) are on-campus communities designed for students with common majors and academic interests.”Engineering is one of three majors selected to participate in the university’s pilot LLC program.Students live together in a designated dormitory area and together take one similar course inaddition to the FYE course.This Living Learning Community effort in engineering complements similar work ongoing atmany other institutions

Conference Session

FPD I: Research on First-year Programs Part I

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kerry Meyers, University of Notre Dame; Victoria E. Goodrich, University of Notre Dame; Natalie Gedde, University of Notre Dame

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

programs being used this semester.” – Current Student Assistant Page 25.1026.8When asked what skill they felt the improved most upon, many of the survey respondentsindicated they improved their technical skills, communication, teaching, or their ability toexplain things multiple ways: “I became much better at helping others look at problems in new ways.” – Former Student Assistant “My ability to connect and explain problems to someone who did not have as strong a technical background.” – Former Student AssistantSeveral of the post graduate survey respondents were able to look reflectively at the experiencegained from their

Conference Session

FPD XI: Tidbits and Cookies

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Peter Thomas Tkacik, University of North Carolina, Charlotte; Jae Hoon Lim, University of North Carolina, Charlotte; Patricia A. Tolley P.E., University of North Carolina, Charlotte; Kimberly Warren, University of North Carolina, Charlotte

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

items that exhibited strongest correlations reflect students’ evaluation of the cost and benefit of pursuing an engineering degree. Results of the quantitative analyses suggest that students’ persistence in the major may be related to their perceptions of the cost and benefit of the engineering degree. (Table 2) Page 25.665.7 Table 2: Post-Survey Items Moderately Related to: I Don’t Care for This Career Survey Item r* The rewards of getting an engineering degree are not worth the effort. 0.61 I expect that engineering will

Conference Session

FPD VI: Presenting "All the Best" of the First-year Programs Division

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

S. Scott Moor, Indiana University-Purdue University, Fort Wayne

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

use writing with in various courses throughout the curriculum. Theseefforts have included short informal Writing-to-Learn assignments where students reflect on thematerial covered in journals, logs or short essays. They have also included longer Writing-in-the-Disciplines approaches such as this case of design reports where students are specificallylearning the writing conventions of their particular discipline.3Elbow4 argues that it is often particularly helpful to assign low-stakes writing, using assignmentswhere the level of critique and the grading weight are low. He notes that “Writing feels like aninherently high stakes activity.”4 The particular assignment sequence presented here allows thistype of lower stakes writing to take

Conference Session

FPD VI: Presenting "All the Best" of the First-year Programs Division

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Christa R. James-Byrnes, University of Wisconsin, Barron County; Mark H. Holdhusen, University of Wisconsin, Marathon County

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

experiencesand successes as the students in the traditional face-to-face section. Several assessments wereused to determine this. One assessment was a quantitative analysis comparing the grades of each Page 25.1002.8section. Also, two surveys were created for the students to take and reflect on their work on theprojects and the course. The first survey was given after the first design project and focused onteamwork on the project. The second survey was conducted at the end of the course focused onboth the final project as well as the course as a whole. Another assessment was an analysis ofhow students utilized the engineer interview videos for each

Conference Session

FPD X: Addressing Retention in the First Year

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Lizzie Y. Santiago, West Virginia University; Robin A.M. Hensel Ed.D., West Virginia University

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

secondeducational choice was business. The fact that our engineering students are switching to generalstudies reflects either an inability to make a decision about which major to pursue at the time ofthe transfer or the fact that some of our students are in academic probation. At the time of theanalysis, only 6.5% of all students that transferred to general studies completed a bachelor degreein a given discipline. Only 45% of the students that transferred to general studies are stillenrolled in our college. The remaining 48% dropped from college, were suspended, or neverreturned to the university.Another difference with Ohland’s study, was the high percent of students transferring out ofengineering with GPA below 2.0 (39.5% of all transfer students). Our

Conference Session

FPD X: Addressing Retention in the First Year

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Andria Costello Staniec, Syracuse University; Helen M. Doerr, Syracuse University

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

” have demonstrated higher student outcomes, includingpersistence to graduation9. While a variety of programs have evolved over the past two decades,in Arendale’s review of postsecondary peer cooperative learning programs, they are divided intotwo groups: (1) those that provide additional support through outside of class activities withlittle change by the primary instructor and (2) those that reflect a transformed learningenvironment for all students enrolled in the course9. Included in the second category are thoseworkshops using the Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) model developed in science education.Keys to the success of the PLTL model are a peer-led workshop that is integral to the course, theclose involvement of the faculty in working with

Conference Session

FPD I: Research on First-year Programs Part I

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Chirag Variawa, University of Toronto; Susan McCahan, University of Toronto

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

0.008937 40 continuation 0.008237 softening 0.007719 onset 0.005516 agb 0.00783 50 onset 0.007397 agb 0.007072 cry 0.004803 leads 0.006723 60 test 0.006167 theoretical 0.005505 unique 0.004257 strain 0.005992 70 crystalline 0.005691 yx 0.004857 shaded 0.004044 plastic 0.005177… … … … … … … … … 100 matrix 0.004542 lowering 0.004413 pinned 0.00349 speaking 0.004469 200 offset 0.002845 atoms 0.002752 mainly 0.002289 reflect 0.002914

Conference Session

First-year Programs Poster Session

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jaby Mohammed, Petroleum Institute; Nicholas J. Dimmitt, Petroleum Institute

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

show the quality of studentwork thereby reflecting a quality program. Capstone projects are also valued highly in theaccreditation process. The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET),which provides accreditation to engineering programs in US have different criteria toevaluate a program. There are many general criteria and some specific criteria applied tothe program. The general criteria are related to programs, educational objectives,continuous improvement process, program outcomes, curriculum, faculty, facilities, andsupport. Program outcomes are more specific, since the ABET report would show thecurricula, course work, and other documentation to show the effectiveness of theprogram. Program outcomes are criteria 3 of the

Conference Session

FPD VII: Research on First-year Programs Part II

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Julie M. Little-Wiles M.S.M., Ph.D. (A.B.D.), Purdue University, West Lafayette; Stephen Hundley, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis; Wanda L. Worley, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis; Erich J. Bauer, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

reflected aslight increase from 42% in the freshman year to 48% in the sophomore year. Unfortunately,though, this demonstrated that at least half of the students are still not reading theseannouncements despite both the University and School’s efforts to inform them.One area where there was significant change was in the use of the LMS for communicationpurposes. In the initial survey, 77% of the students indicated that they did, in fact, use the LMSto communicate with other students and faculty; this increased to 97% by their sophomore year.Likewise, alternative means of communication was considerably reduced by the sophomore year.See Table 6. Page

Conference Session

First-year Programs Poster Session

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Daniel Knight, University of Colorado, Boulder; Beverly Louie, University of Colorado, Boulder; Jordan Michelle Hornback, University of Colorado at Boulder

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

typical first-yearcourse. Students encounter no exams, self- and peer-reflections (i.e., writing!) are assigned, andcollaborating with fellow classmates is expected. A problem-based learning (PBL), activeapproach is used to guide the learning experiences of these students. After the formation ofsemester-long teams, students take on challenging, open-ended projects in diverse topics such asassistive technology, Rube Goldberg, sustainable technology, science concept demonstrations,recreating existing devices and robotics challenges. Along the way, students must developsufficient proficiency in technical drawing, testing, machining, electronics, and/or

Conference Session

FPD I: Research on First-year Programs Part I

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kelsey Joy Rodgers, Purdue University; Heidi A. Diefes-Dux, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Monica E. Cardella, Purdue University, West Lafayette

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

confirmed by students’ provision on feedback in one dimensionthat is really intended for another dimension. Potential strategies for improving studentparticipation in peer feedback were discussed. Means for improving students’ understanding ofdimensions along which they are to assess peer work and provide peer feedback were alsodiscussed.AcknowledgementsThis work was made possible by grants from the National Science Foundation (DUE 0717508and EEC 0835873). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed inthis material are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NationalScience Foundation.Bibliography1. Hattie, J., & Timperley, H. (2007). The power of feedback. Review of Educational Research

Conference Session

FPD IV: Innovative Curriculum Elements of Successful First-year Courses

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Robin A.M. Hensel Ed.D., West Virginia University; Ordel Brown Ph.D., West Virginia University; Mary L. Strife, West Virginia University

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

assigned as well as in-class activities with librarian andfaculty present in class to assist as needed. The assignments from the librarians were reinforcedin course work assigned by faculty. In this way, the information literacy component was Page 25.534.3seamlessly integrated into the curriculum.2.1 Modified Learning ObjectivesCourse learning objectives were modified to reflect the new emphasis on expanded technicalwriting skills. The learning objectives were framed as expected student outcomes. Existingstudent outcomes were clarified by specifying activities related to preparing technical reports thatstudents will be able to do upon successful

Conference Session

FPD VIII: Crossing Bridges and Easing Transitions into the First Year

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

David Jones, University of Nebraska, Lincoln; Carmen R. Zafft, University of Nebraska, Lincoln; Evan T. Curtis, University of Nebraska, Lincoln

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

University online systems. University and COE administrators were invited to ENGR 30to discuss and demonstrate to students how to utilize tools like the degree auditing system(DARS) and MyRED, the academic portal. Both systems are used by students to navigatecurriculum requirements, course content, and student information. Introducing students to thesetools led to an interactive discussion led by the COE’s Director of Undergraduate StudentAdvising explaining the nuances of transferring credit and proper course sequence. In Anderson-Rowland, et al’s1 reflective paper on community college students who transition intoengineering, they found that students’ GPA was hindered because they choose to take coursesout of sequence so they could take courses

Conference Session

FPD III: Innovation in Design in the First Year

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ann Saterbak, Rice University; Mark Embree, Rice University; Maria Oden, Rice University

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

with many common tools andbecome more familiar with the OEDK and its resources. During the prototyping phase of ENGI120, the fabrication mentors offer office hours in the OEDK to help the design teams constructand test their prototypes.Assessment of ENGI 120 ProgramStudent SurveysAssessment was conducted at the end of the semester. In the survey, student perception onimprovements in skills, including engineering design, problem-solving, technical writing, andteamwork was probed. Student’s self-efficacy toward engineering and their decision-makingregarding an engineering major were also probed. The authors recognize that these data are self-reported, and may not reflect actual improvement in skills.The students’ perceptions of how they are