Conference Session

Technology Literacy for Engineering Students

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Byron Newberry, Baylor University

Tagged Divisions

Technological Literacy Constituent Committee

AC 2007-2245: ENGINEERS AND TECHNOLOGICAL LITERACYByron Newberry, Baylor University Byron Newberry is Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Baylor University, where he teaches courses in engineering design, engineering materials and mechanics, and engineering ethics. In addition, he teaches courses in the history and philosophy of science, ancient and modern, as an affiliate faculty member of the Baylor Great Texts Program. Dr. Newberry’s current research is primarily on the topics of engineering ethics, the philosophy of engineering, and social issues in engineering and technology. He has published numerous articles on these topics and has given numerous presentations at

Conference Session

Technology Literacy for Non-Engineers

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Barbara Oakley, Oakland University; Lorenzo Smith, Oakland University; Yin-ping (Daniel) Chang, Oakland University

Tagged Divisions

Technological Literacy Constituent Committee

response to such criticisms, as well assimilar criticisms about engineers from the workplace, ABET, the accrediting agencyfor schools of engineering and technology in the United States, has attempted tobroaden the training engineering students receive.14, 15 Consequently, accreditingcriteria now specify that engineering studies must have training involving a numberof areas, including professional and ethical responsibility; an ability to communicate Page 12.1478.2effectively; an understanding of the impact of engineering solutions in a global,economic, environmental, and societal context; a recognition of the need for, and anability to engage in life-long

Conference Session

Technology Literacy for Engineering Students

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Camille George, University of St. Thomas; Elise Amel, University of Saint Thomas; Christopher Greene, University of Saint Thomas

Tagged Divisions

Technological Literacy Constituent Committee

teachers.IntroductionEducators are increasingly aware of the importance of introducing contemporary and globalissues in undergraduate curriculum. Liberal arts programs usually consider contemporary issuesfrom many angles: social, political, ethical, organizational and personal. However, liberal artscourses rarely consider how engineering accomplishments affect society. One can argue that theaverage engineering major knows more about the humanities than the average humanities majorknows about engineering. However, in our technology-driven society, everyone needs to knowmore about engineering, especially its limitations.1 Many engineering advances have had an Page

Conference Session

Technology Literacy for Non-Engineers

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

AnnMarie Thomas, University of Saint Thomas; Mark Breitenberg, Art Center College of Design

Tagged Divisions

Technological Literacy Constituent Committee

). New courses such as “Robotics,” “Nanotechnology,” “The Futureof Science and Technology” (including an ethics component), and a variety of courses insustainable technology and ecology have all opened up new ways of thinking aboutdesign and its applications. But the course that best exemplifies all of our educationalaims in the new science curriculum is “Nature’s Design,” the focus of this paper.Using biology as a method to teach design, engineering and/or architecture is anincreasing trend. In 2005, a paper2 written by Dennis Dollens, architect and educator atthe Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, looked at examples of incorporatingbiomimetic concepts and theory into the teaching of architecture and industrial design. Itshould be noted

Conference Session

Technology Literacy for Non-Engineers

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jan DeWaters, Clarkson University; Susan Powers, Clarkson University; Mary Graham, Clarkson University

Tagged Divisions

Technological Literacy Constituent Committee

/Why America Needs a Refresher Course on Energy. In National Environmental Education & Training Foundation: Washington, DC, 2002.7. NOWCAST, U.S. Public in the Dark on Climate Change Issues. American Meterological Society 2005, June 2005, 775.8. Riecken, G.; Yavas, U., Energy Conservation Awareness. Ball State Business Review 1979, 9, (2), 2.9. Ritchie, C. A.; Steinbrink, J. E., Knowledge, Attitude, and the Energy Ethic. Social Education 1984, 48, (2), 149-52.10. Barrow, L. H.; Morrisey, J. T., Energy Literacy of Ninth-Grade Students: A Comparison Between Maine and New Brunswick. Journal of Environmental Education 1989, 20, 22-25.11. Farhar, B. C., Energy and the Environment: the public view. Renewable Energy Report