Conference Session

Engineering for Nonengineers: Ideas & Results

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kathryn Neeley, University of Virginia; W. Bernard Carlson, University of Virginia; Sarah Pfatteicher, University of Wisconsin - Madison; Bruce Seely, Michigan Technological University; Douglass Klein, Union College; Ronald Miller, Colorado School of Mines

Tagged Divisions

Technological Literacy Constituent Committee

Science Foundation (NSF) sponsored and the NAE hosted a workshopaimed at developing successful models for technological literacy courses at the college level. Theapproach advocated in this paper arose in one of the breakout groups at that workshop.The name “Technology in Context” captures the central idea behind the approach: courses thatcombine specific engineering or scientific knowledge with an understanding of the historical,social, and ethical context in which the technology is arises and is implemented. Three keyfeatures define the approach: 1. Start with existing courses and modify them so that they explicitly pursue TL outcomes and help students develop TL traits. This aspect leverages existing faculty expertise and

Conference Session

Improving Technical Understanding of All Americans

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Elaine Cooney, Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis; Karen Alfrey; Steve Owens, Indiana University - Purdue University-Indianapolis

Tagged Divisions

Technological Literacy Constituent Committee

ethical responsibility; andunderstanding the impact of engineering solutions within a contemporary and societalcontext. Furthermore, IUPUI, like many universities, explicitly recognizes theimportance of critical thinking as a component of undergraduate education by identifyingit among the university’s Principles of Undergraduate Learning (PULs). However, theability to think critically and independently is cited by employers as one of the greatestdeficiencies in recent engineering graduates [1, 2]. We may believe we are fosteringcritical thinking skills in our engineering and technology curricula – but are ourundergraduates developing those skills as we intend?Background and Motivation“Critical thinking” is the ability to analyze carefully and

Conference Session

Engineering for Nonengineers: Ideas & Results

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mani Mina, Iowa State University

Tagged Divisions

Technological Literacy Constituent Committee

credits for each student. There are three introductory classes (ES)courses: ES 260, Introduction to Engineering: From Thoughts to Things; ES 265, Survey of theImpacts of Engineering Activities; and ES 270, Survey of How Things Work. Each studentshould also take 6 credits (2 classes) in approve course list of junior and senior level classes.These classes are offered by different faculty and are all related to understanding technology,technological development, and social, ethical, and environmental aspects of technology. Therest of the credits to make at least 21 credits can be filled approved class list including 2nd, 3rd,4th, and graduate level classes. Each engineering department is offering classes in their field forsuch requirements. Our

Conference Session

Service Courses for Non-Engineers

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

William Suchan, United States Military Academy; Susan Schwartz, United States Military Academy; Edward Sobiesk, United States Military Academy

Tagged Divisions

Technological Literacy Constituent Committee

constructing their web portals, explicitattention is paid by both the students and the instructor to the variety of permission types that arerequired in the completion of the project. Examples of these permission types includepermission given on the web site from which the media was obtained, permission successfullygranted via correspondence, open source license agreements, use of non-copyrighted materials,and use of materials personally owned (or optimally, created) by the student. The overall effectis to create a strong awareness in the students that electronic intellectual property is generallyowned by someone, and to give students confidence that they can still ethically succeed in thisenvironment.One final aspect of the introductory module is a

Conference Session

Engineering for Nonengineers: Ideas & Results

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Vince Bertsch, Santa Rosa Junior College

Tagged Divisions

Technological Literacy Constituent Committee

systems.Topics and ScopeCentral topics and themes include but are not limited to: Page 13.1185.5I. The scientific method and the engineering design processII. Ethical frameworks of science and engineeringIII. Conservation of energy and materialsIV. Cost-benefit analysis and the risks and safety of technological products and systemsV. The history and evolution of science and technologyVI. Scientific versus technical writingThe central themes will be explored through a series of (7-30) casestudies. The case studies will build in complexity over the course of thesemester and will span the broad numbered categories listed below.Specific lettered examples listed are

Conference Session

Engineering for Nonengineers: Ideas & Results

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Deborah Mechtel, U.S. Naval Academy; Andrew McCue, U.S. Naval Academy; Keith Kintzley, U.S. Naval Academy; Robert Voigt, U.S. Naval Academy

Tagged Divisions

Technological Literacy Constituent Committee

leadership, ethics and law where some ofthese topics are addressed. Page 13.266.7The assessment process for both courses is evolving. The Electrical and ComputerEngineering process for ABET accredited courses is currently being modified to betterassess students outcomes for department courses intended to increase technologicalliteracy but not produce practicing engineers.Both courses are well received by the students. Students have commented that the coursematerial is worthwhile and pertinent and that they feel better prepared and more confidentto undertake their future profession in an increasingly technologically based military.When they encounter a

Conference Session

Service Courses for Non-Engineers

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John Krupczak, Hope College; Timothy Simpson, Pennsylvania State University; Vince Bertsch, Santa Rosa Junior College; Kate Disney, Mission College; Elsa Garmire, Dartmouth College; Barbara Oakley, Oakland University; Mary Rose, Ball State University

Tagged Divisions

Technological Literacy Constituent Committee

Underpinnings in that topic area based on Disciplines of engineering and technology the 3 cognitive dimensions Ethics of Tech Literacy defined by NAE in Technically Speaking. Figure 1. Proposed Framework: The Tech Lit Course Evaluation MatrixThe rows of the matrix in Figure 1