Conference Session

Graduate Student Experience

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Stephanie Cutler, Virginia Tech; Walter Curtis Lee Jr., Virginia Tech; Lisa D. McNair, Virginia Tech

Tagged Divisions

Graduate Studies, Student

AC 2012-5183: EASING INTO ENGINEERING EDUCATION: AN ORIEN-TATION PROGRAM FOR GRADUATE STUDENTSStephanie Cutler, Virginia TechWalter Curtis Lee Jr., Virginia Tech Walter Lee is a Graduate Assistant and doctoral student in engineering education at Virginia Tech. His pri- mary research interests focus on diversity and student retention. He earned a B.S. in industrial engineering from Clemson University.Dr. Lisa D. McNair, Virginia Tech Lisa McNair is an Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering Education at Virginia Tech. Her research includes interdisciplinary collaboration, communication studies, identity theory, and reflective practice. Projects supported by the National Science Foundation include

Conference Session

Graduate Student Experience

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Richard J. Aleong, Queen's University

Tagged Divisions

Graduate Studies, Student

AC 2012-3517: IN SEARCH OF MEANING AND IDENTITY: AN AUTOETHNOG-RAPHY OF A GRADUATE STUDENT NAVIGATING THE FIELD OF EN-GINEERING EDUCATIONRichard J. Aleong, Queen’s University Richard Aleong is a master’s of applied science candidate in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. His research interests are in engineering design, qualitative research methodology, and teaching and learning in higher education. Page 25.756.1 c American Society for Engineering Education, 2012 In Search of Meaning and Identity: An Autoethnography of a

Conference Session

Tricks of the Trade

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ana T. Torres-Ayala, University of South Florida; Geoffrey L. Herman, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Tagged Divisions

Student

AssistantsAbstract Although motivation in the classroom is often neglected in graduate student training,most instructors and TAs intuitively understand that motivation is critical for effective learning.These intuitions are corroborated by the research on motivation and learning that consistentlyshows that students do not learn well unless they are motivated to learn. In this paper, we present the basics of motivation theories, their impact on studentlearning and their implications for teaching engineering. It is a primer of motivation theories andhow they can be used to inform and direct TAs work with engineering students. This primer wasdeveloped from the perspectives of a researcher of the preparation of future faculty and adeveloper of

Conference Session

Tricks of the Trade

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Adam Neale, University of Waterloo; Oliver Grant, University of Waterloo; Manoj Sachdev P.Eng., University of Waterloo

Tagged Divisions

Student

programs. Interviews were conducted with students rangingfrom freshman through senior undergraduate, and Master’s and Ph.D. graduate programs as well.The interviews highlight a series of commonalities and differences across the students, includingmany of them prioritizing school and athletics above their other life commitments, and each ofthem possessing a variety of different time scheduling and study habits. From these personalaccounts and interviews, a series of best practices for success as either a student-athlete or aregular student involved in other high time commitment co-curricular activities are developed. Italso becomes clear that there are many paths leading to success as a student. This work can beused by educators to gain insight

Conference Session

Tricks of the Trade

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Stephan A. Durham, University of Georgia; Wesley E. Marshall, University of Colorado, Denver

Tagged Divisions

Student

take on a leadership role in an organization, develop studygroups with other members, connect with industry professionals, and participate on adesign team. Most student organizations are typically led by the top students within anengineering program. Typically, there is a president, vice president, secretary, andtreasurer for each of these student groups. The responsibilities for each of these positionsprovide students with leadership skills that will later be used in engineering practice upongraduation. Other valuable aspects of these organizations are the projects that areperformed within each. For example, many organizations participate in regional andnational design competitions, such as the ASCE Concrete Canoe and Steel