Conference Session

Tricks of the Trade Inside the Classroom (1675)

Collection

1998 Annual Conference

Authors

Deborah M. Mechtel, United States Naval Academy

Tagged Divisions

New Engineering Educators (NEE)

to accomplish severalgoals. First, to support students with no experience while challenging experienced students.Second, to improve the leadership and teaming skills encouraged by the Accreditation Board forEngineering Technology (ABET) and to establish a foundation for future classroom/laboratoryteam design efforts. Third, to establish a professional, cooperative classroom atmosphere.Finally, this first semester’s trial use of cooperative learning has been used to identifyimprovements in classroom techniques and procedures for future classes.Initial Criteria For Determination Of Project Success: It has been shown that some uses ofcooperative learning improve student performance [2]. Within the constraints of the limitednumber of total

Conference Session

Promotion and Tenure

Collection

1998 Annual Conference

Authors

James R. Alexander, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown; Donald D. Harter, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown; Jerry W. Samples, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown

Tagged Divisions

New Engineering Educators (NEE)

to the professor, plans for starting research andpublication of dissertation material or pedagogy, and a timeline for success in coming years.Specifics should include the desired number of research projects, probable grants, consulting thatsupports the discipline and fosters knowledge that is applicable in the classroom, publications,new courses to be developed, and precise event timing. A viable schedule is imperative, or theventure will fail.Finally, there must be a mentor to act as an agent for the new faculty member. If the faultymember is a good teacher and is technically competent, the sink or swim process does not servethe university or the faculty well. The mentor should take every opportunity to encourage, assist,cajole, and provide