Conference Session

FPD IV: Improving Student Success: Mentoring, Intervening, and Supplementing

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Colleen A. McDonough, Michigan State University; Daina Briedis, Michigan State University; Neeraj Buch, Michigan State University; Renée S. DeGraaf, Lansing Community College; Jon Sticklen, Michigan State University; Sarah J. Stoner, Michigan State University; Mark Urban-Lurain, Michigan State University; Claudia E. Vergara, Michigan State University; Thomas F. Wolff, Michigan State University

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

development of critical thinking skills andprovides both the participants and the PAL Leaders with an opportunity to engage incollaborative learning. These benefits directly support the project’s stated goal of improvingretention of early engineering students, as well as criteria set forth by The Accreditation Boardfor Engineering and Technology (ABET), which is increasingly placing emphasis on “soft skills”development within engineering programs 16, 17, 18. While the primary goals of the grant areaimed at students enrolled in targeted courses, our research has shown that the program also Page 22.1148.4provides numerous benefits to the PAL leaders and

Conference Session

FPD VII: Innovative Curriculum Elements of Successful First-Year Courses

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Chris Plouff, Grand Valley State University; Deborah Morrow, Grand Valley State University

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

Lehmann[7] provide anexcellent overview of the goals of the ABET a-k criteria in relation to the real challenges facingstudents and academic institutions: academic institutions must matriculate not-yet-fully-matureadolescents, and in the course of a 4- or 5-year curriculum, foster growth in their knowledge,skills, and attitudes, ideally graduating students who are prepared to progress successfully intoprofessional work or graduate studies. These authors give particular attention to lifelong learningand “soft” skills which have not historically been the explicit goal of engineering education.Oxnam[8] provides a detailed look at the intersection of ABET engineering program evaluationcriteria and essential IL skills endorsed by the Association of