Conference Session

Hey You: Effectively Engaging Students in the Classroom

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Lelli Van Den Einde, University of California, San Diego; Samuel Holton Lee, University of California, San Diego; Jacqueline Linh Le, University of California, San Diego

Tagged Divisions

Civil Engineering

AC 2012-4477: INCORPORATING CLICKERS AND PEER INSTRUCTIONINTO LARGE STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING CLASSROOMSDr. Lelli Van Den Einde, University of California, San Diego Lelli Van Den Einde is a tenure-track lecturer at UC, San Diego, and focuses mostly on undergraduate education in mechanics and design courses. Her past research was in the seismic design of bridge sys- tems, but she is currently focused on assessing and improving engineering education pedagogy through technology. She has been the Faculty Advisor for UC, San Diego’s Society of Civil and Structural En- gineers (SCSE), a student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers, for the past two years. Additionally, Van Den Einde is also the Faculty Advisor

Conference Session

Going Viral: Effective Instructional Techniques in an Online Environment

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Monique H. Head, Morgan State University

Tagged Divisions

Civil Engineering

dynamics. When writing their abstracts, students are expected to demonstrateknowledge of their topic and explain their research objective, methodology, results andconclusions in a clear and concise manner. The abstract is written as a wiki to share thisinformation for peer learning and to gain feedback on the clarity and quality of their technicalwriting. Assessment and evaluation of the impact of this effort includes peer review andfeedback from the instructor directly using the wikis. Comments to the wiki are made alongsidethe abstract as to not completely change the original composition but rather to enhance it forinclusion in their final paper. Results include student perceptions about their writing experiencewith the wikis compared to a more

Conference Session

The Teacher as Manager: Best Practices for Culminating Design Experiences

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

William P. Manion, University of Maine; Judith A. Hakola, University of Maine

Tagged Divisions

Civil Engineering

practicing engineers, many of them graduates of the University of Mainethemselves, effectively complete the transition from student to young engineer.Student grades are based on writing and performance evaluations by the instructors in all fourrespective courses, although there is considerable discussion of grading within each semester.There are assignments that are specific to only one course, such as written exams in ProjectManagement, and some assignments that are shared, such as the proposals. Teamwork andindividual contributions are based on written evaluations by both peer and instructor at severalpoints during each semester. Faculty advisors are not involved in grading, except on a voluntarybasis of the final design report presentations

Conference Session

The Teacher as Manager: Best Practices for Culminating Design Experiences

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Tonya Lynn Nilsson P.E., Santa Clara University; Kevin D. Hall, University of Arkansas; Ronald W. Welch, University of Texas, Tyler

Tagged Divisions

Civil Engineering

26% Other“it depends on the project” and“course director, faculty and Figure 10: Primary advisor or mentor of studentsindustry mentor”. Figure 10shows the complete breakdown of responses. Page 25.967.8Course Content and AssessmentEighty-five departments are using the major design experience as an opportunity to teach a widevariety of topics, including the ‘soft skills’ required by ABET. Over 80 percent of the 85departments report teaching project management, teaming skills, oral communication, andtechnical writing or written communication. It should be noted, however, that one schoolreported

Conference Session

The Teacher as Manager: Best Practices for Culminating Design Experiences

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Michelle Oswald Beiler P.E., Bucknell University; Arthur D. Kney, Lafayette College; David A. Veshosky, Lafayette College

Tagged Divisions

Civil Engineering

, he has written a number of peer reviewed journal articles and conference papers, as well as co-authored a book chapter and a technical guidance manual.Dr. David A. Veshosky, Lafayette College David Veshosky has a bachelor’s of civil engineering degree from Catholic University; a master’s in sci- ence, technology, and public policy from George Washington University; and a Ph.D. in business and economics from Lehigh University. He teaches courses in engineering economics and project manage- ment at Lafayette College. His current research interests involve sustainable development. Page 25.7.1

Conference Session

Expanding Access and Opportunities for M/30

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Andrea L. Welker PE, Villanova University; Leslie Ann McCarthy P.E., Villanova University; John Komlos, Villanova University; Alfred Andrew Fry

Tagged Divisions

Civil Engineering

Foundation Design the students are asked to research a geotechnical topic of theirchoosing using a variety of sources. The students are asked to find four sources: one source thatis available/accessible to the general public, one general web source, one peer-reviewed journalarticle, and one other type of printed reference such as a conference or technical periodicalarticle. They are then asked to summarize the information in these sources. Lastly, they are askedto compare the sources considering the intended audience, contradictions amongst the sources,communication style, quality, trustworthiness, and biases. The ability to properly format thebibliography continues to be the most troublesome aspect of writing for the students. In addition

Conference Session

Hey You: Effectively Engaging Students in the Classroom

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Glenn W. Ellis, Smith College

Tagged Divisions

Civil Engineering

applying standard problem-solving procedures, butthey must also have passion, adaptability and an eagerness to learn. Successful graduates need tobe innovators, effective collaborators in interdisciplinary and multicultural environments,excellent communicators, leaders, and lifelong learners1. Engineering education is not alone inneeding to rethink the educational strategies that best prepare students for success. Based uponresearch emerging from the learning sciences, Sawyer’s description of a successful collegegraduate (in any field) has much in common with the National Science Board (NSB) report.Sawyer writes that to be successful in the knowledge age, graduates will need to develop a deepand integrated understanding of complex subjects

Conference Session

Expanding Access and Opportunities for M/30

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Brock E. Barry P.E., U.S. Military Academy; Scott M. Katalenich, U.S. Military Academy; Brad C. McCoy, U.S. Military Academy

Tagged Divisions

Civil Engineering

finalhomework assignment was a reflective essay on whether or not the student planned to remain acivil engineering major and why/why not, and what strengths/weaknesses did they have when itcomes to the skills/attributes outlined by the BOK2 and ABET.The freshmen thought that the five most important skills were communication, ethics, teamwork,creativity, and design. Although the small number of female and minority students madeidentifying statistically significant differences difficult, at the conclusion of the Introduction toCivil Engineering course, reportedly a greater percentage of females (20%) had lost interest incivil engineering compared to their white male peers (10%). Out of 134 students, 11 lost interestin being a civil engineering major, yet

Conference Session

Hey You: Effectively Engaging Students in the Classroom

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jeffrey A. Laman, Pennsylvania State University, University Park; Mary Lynn Brannon, Pennsylvania State University, University Park; Irene B. Mena, Pennsylvania State University, University Park

Tagged Divisions

Civil Engineering

Page 25.314.5numbered pages; and 4) professional tabs. These Notebooks were reviewed at mid-semester andat the conclusion of the semester by the teaching assistant following the instructor’s gradingrubric. The Engineer’s Notebook counted five percent toward the final course grade.This project intended to design an active learning environment within the course context that: 1)better promotes group activities and peer interaction; 2) shrinks the perceived size of the courseenrollment for students; 3) offers extended, open-ended problems to promote creativity andinnovation; and 4) includes writing within coursework to stimulate a broader world view.Evaluation of this active learning plan was completed through comparison of past quiz and

Conference Session

Expanding Access and Opportunities for M/30

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Angela R. Bielefeldt, University of Colorado, Boulder

Tagged Divisions

Civil Engineering

and differences students perceivebetween these majors in terms of the knowledge and skills used in the profession.Table 3. Similarities and Differences in the Architectural, Civil, and Environmental EngineeringCurriculum at CUTopic (credits) Architectural Civil EnvironmentalRequired courses in 4 semesters math, 2 semesters physics, 1 semester chemistry + labcommon (52) Engineering computing, Statics, Thermodynamics, Fluid mechanics Writing / social science or humanities (SSH) electivesAREN: CVEN Engineering drawing, Geomaticsrequired courses in Introduction to Constructioncommon (15) Mechanics of