Conference Session

Global Engineering in an Interconnected World

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Alexis Powe, Mississippi State University

Tagged Divisions

International

AC 2007-2210: PRACTICAL ENGLISH: TEACHING TECHNICALCOMMUNICATION ABROAD BASED ON A PREEXISTING TECHNICALWRITING COURSE IN MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY'S BAGLEY COLLEGEOF ENGINEERINGAlexis Powe, Mississippi State University Alexis D. Powe is a technical writing instructor for the Mississippi State University Bagley College of Engineering’s Shackouls Technical Communication Program. She received her B.A. in English from Mississippi State University in 2002, graduating summa cum laude with a minor in history, and her M.A. in English from Louisiana State University in 2004. She is a member of the American Society for Engineering Education and the Modern Language Association. Address: P.O. Box

Conference Session

Engineering Without Borders: Programs Involving Students

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

David Myszka, University of Dayton; Scott Schneider, University of Dayton; Scott Segalewitz, University of Dayton

Tagged Divisions

International

students in the U.S. come from developing and newlyindustrializing countries, most notably China2. Many students believe that the prestige of adegree from a foreign, especially an American, degree is greater than one from a local institution.Also, with the tremendous growth of U.S. companies setting up manufacturing facilities inChina, a technical degree from an American university is extremely desirable3.In the classroom, many performance studies have been completed. Oakland4 documents thatChinese students are more organized than American counterparts. Chinese students exhibithigher achievement in mathematics than their American counterparts. However, Turner5 foundthat aptitude in critical thinking skills is below their American peers

Conference Session

International Engineering Education I - Poster Session

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mike Murphy; Michael Dyrenfurth, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

International

detailed in Boyer’s articulate and visionary review 14 ofscholarship in a post-war, modern environment.As a general rule, definitions of scholarship and research are characterised by Page 12.795.5originality, have investigation as a primary objective, have the potential to produceresults that add to humanity’s stock of knowledge (theoretical or practical) and aredeemed so by public scrutiny via peer appraisal. Yet they are also sufficiently broadand flexible to be useful in a TTOC environment.Research MetricsResearch metrics should be defined for a transition period as research activity growswithin the TTOC, and then final metrics can be implemented

Conference Session

Preparing Engineering Students for International Practice

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Bahman Motlagh, University of Central Florida; Michele Shahir-Motlagh, Harcourt School Publishers; Alireza Rahrooh, University of Central Florida

Tagged Divisions

International

software or can be developed in-house. This site must be capable of providing real-time access to information and capable of accepting documents to be loaded by students.) 9. Identify appropriate evaluation methods. Ensure assessment of all tasks performed including identification of grading criteria. Require a peer review by project team members after each project as a part of the student’s overall grade. (In one case, we identified 10 projects for a course and grading was based on the number of successful projects completed and submitted on time.)If an online distance learning course is considered a project, then the professor assumes the roleof project manager. In this role they need

Conference Session

Educating Graduates in Engineering For A Flat World

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sofia Vidalis, Pennsylvania State University; Iordanis Petsas, University of Scranton; Fazil Najafi, University of Florida

Tagged Divisions

International

boards, discussion forums, web contentpresentation areas, and peers sharing files with other peers. WebCT, Blackboard, and ANGELeach have distinct features that allow the students and instructors to build this collaboration witheach other and with groups, see Table 1. It also frequently reduces questions and email toinstructors.Technology can strengthen faculty interactions with all students, especially with shy studentswho are reluctant to ask questions or challenge the instructor directly. This may be done byplacing a more “distant” source of information and guidance for students. It is often easier todiscuss values and personal concerns in writing than orally, since inadvertent or ambiguousnonverbal signals are not so dominant. As the number

Conference Session

Preparing Engineers for the Global Workplace

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John Grandin, University of Rhode Island

Tagged Divisions

International

continued technological and economicsuccess for nations such as ours will rely on scientists and engineers able tocollaborate with peers, partners, and competitors from many locations around theworld. Engineering educators acknowledge that this era of globalization hasextensive implications for the curriculum and are thus experimenting in search ofappropriate changes to keep the next generations competitive. Many internationalprogram models for engineers are emerging at campuses across the country, withfocus on language and culture study, study abroad, student exchange, internationalprofessional internships, projects carried out by global student and faculty teams,distance learning partnerships with schools abroad, and so on. Another sign of

Conference Session

International Distance & Service Learning for Engineers- Discussion on Best Practices

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sandra Boschetto-Sandoval, Michigan Technological University; Ciro Sandoval, Michigan Technological University; Linda Phillips, Michigan Technological University

Tagged Divisions

International

of Spanish statements to provide facultymentors with an overview of the class, and to determine the preliminary linguistic andcultural preparation of each student regarding the project. Students were cautiouslyconfident about their grammar preparation, as well as their comprehension of writtenand technical Spanish. Students expressed strong agreement about the importance ofworking in groups with class peers, “consultants,” and professors in order to accomplishthe project. They recognized that engineering projects have social and ethical impacts,and that sustainability—a slippery term to define, depending on whether one defines itfrom the perspective of the developing or developed regions—is important to all projectsrelated to engineering

Conference Session

Collaborative & New Efforts in Engineering Education

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Michael Bramhall, Sheffield Hallam University; Keith Radley, Sheffield Hallam University

Tagged Divisions

International

12.1207.3initiative, ‘Users as Producers’, was introduced providing an opportunity for the students tolearn and develop skills in video and media production. The students were introduced tocamera skills, the language of television, interview techniques and editing skills. Each groupproduced their own video asset which was either embedded within a PowerPointpresentation, or placed into the Blackboard VLE for peer review. As well as developing skillsin media production there was also an opportunity for students to develop key skills such aspresentation techniques, project management skills and conflict resolution (whilst workingtogether in groups).The first student section related to materials, manufacturing or environmental processes.The second student

Conference Session

International Case Studies:Collaborations, Exchanges & Interactions

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Joerg Mossbrucker, Milwaukee School of Engineering; Stephen Williams, Milwaukee School of Engineering; Edward Chandler, Milwaukee School of Engineering; Holger Dahms, Lübeck University of Applied Sciences; Owe Petersen, Milwaukee School of Engineering; Jens Thiedke, Lübeck University of Applied Sciences

Tagged Divisions

International

purposes. After completion of all academic courses of the senior year at MSOE, the Lübeck students are required to successfully complete a major engineering design project (Diplom Arbeit – senior thesis project), normally in an industrial setting. The EE program at MSOE assumed the responsibility of finding suitable projects in regional industry. At the conclusion of the project the students are required to write a major report and defend their topic results. The grade for the project is determined by the visiting Lübeck faculty, whose presence is Page 12.926.4 required by German academic procedures, and the MSOE project advisor. While

Conference Session

Engineering Without Borders: Programs Involving Students

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Belle Wei, San Jose State University; Jacob Tsao, San Jose State University

Tagged Divisions

International

students couldstudy and reflect on their role as a citizen of the increasingly interconnected world.The expanded themes of global economy, sustainable development, and responsible globalcitizenships guided the lesson plans for the 2005 and 2006 GTI Study Programs. In addition,studies on the cultural, political, and economic issues that deepen students’ understanding ofChina and Taiwan were included in the study program.2.2. Study Program Student SelectionIn selecting student participants, preference was given to student leaders with strong academicrecords, with the expectation that these students would more readily disseminate what they hadlearned from the study program and, consequently, influence their peers. As for the class ofparticipants

Conference Session

Engineering Education in the Arab World / Mid-East Region

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Suzanne Scott, The Petroleum Institute; Jamal Ahmad, The Petroleum Institute

Tagged Divisions

International

counterparts. For instance, ourstudents’ teamwork is enhanced by their heritage in the etiquette of Arab friendship, and oralpresentations are strong and natural as a result of an oral cultural orientation. On the other hand,writing skills are naturally impeded by the fact that English is their second language. Thedesign-and-build nature of the projects is often hindered by a lack of familiarity with tools andconstruction techniques. And so on. The authors are constantly adapting and modifying thecourse content and delivery methodologies in order to provide appropriate learning outcomes forour students.Rationale for the Development of a New Model in STEPS IINeed to Develop Independent Open-ended Problem-solving SkillsAs part of a two-semester sequence