Conference Session

Research to Practice: STRAND 3 – Principles of K-12 Engineering Education and Practice

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jonathan R Zubarriain, Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology; Nicholas Kumia, Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology; Shouling He, Vaughn College of Aeronautics & Technology

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

engineeringcurriculum. The six-week program consisted of four stages, introduction to Roboticsengineering, hardware design, robotics programming, and project development. The applicationof this courseware proved to be an effective way for students to realize their academiccapabilities and engage themselves in group projects. The course was held at Vaughn College ofAeronautics and Technology in Queens, New York. Based on the planned course layout the courseware has been developed as follows: (1)Introduction to Robotics engineering, such as engineering design steps and industrialapplications. The robot design implemented by college students who won the World Roboticscompetition has been utilized as an example in the class lecture; (2) Hardware design with

Conference Session

ECCD Innovations in Energy Engineering & Technology

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Faruk Yildiz, Sam Houston State University; Ulan Dakeev, University of Michigan, Flint; Kenan Baltaci, University of Wisconsin, Stout; Keith L. Coogler, Sam Houston State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

the applications of an electrical field. Piezoelectric energyharvesting uses the direct effect and kp, k33, d33, d31, g33 are the characterizations of thepiezoelectric material properties. The k factor, referred to as a piezoelectric coupling factor, istypical way to conveniently and directly measure the overall strength of the electromechanicaleffect [1-4].Piezoelectric energy harvesting is a method that translates mechanical energy into electricalenergy by straining a piezoelectric material [5]. Strain or deformation of a piezoelectric materialcauses charge separation across the device, producing an electric field and resulting in a voltagedrop proportional to the stress applied. The oscillating system is typically a cantilever

Conference Session

New Engineering Educators Division Technical Session 4

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ordel Brown, West Virginia University

Tagged Divisions

New Engineering Educators

/quizzes include the slow response rate for students and the tediousness for instructors.Summative assessments in the form of tests and exams are not sufficient measures of students’understanding and application of knowledge 1-2. Students need continuous formative assessmentsto monitor their learning by actively evaluating their level of understanding. Additionally, thereis the present need to satisfy the dynamic technology-based demands of current engineeringstudents.In an attempt to address these challenges, a web-based audience response system was employedin an introductory engineering course at a large, land-grant university in the mid-Atlantic region.This introductory course is offered in multiple sections in the first-year engineering

Conference Session

Entrepreneurship & Engineering Innovation Division – Design and Entrepreneurship

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

José Antonio Riofrío, Western New England University; Robert Gettens, Western New England University; Anthony D. Santamaria, Western New England University; Thomas K Keyser, Western New England University; Ronald E. Musiak, Western New England University; Harlan E Spotts Jr., Western New England University

Tagged Divisions

Entrepreneurship & Engineering Innovation

outlines a comprehensive first year engineering program that incorporates innovationand entrepreneurship over a two semester span. Innovation and Entrepreneurship skills aredelivered to students using Problem Based Learning (PBL), Entrepreneurial Minded Learning(EML) and Active and Collaborative learning (ACL). Students perceived mastery of innovationand entrepreneurial skills were assessed using a set of pre and post-program surveys.Entrepreneurship expertise was further assessed through an independent judging of open endeddesign projects on such criteria as novelty of opportunity and assessment of market.Course StructureThe first year engineering program course structure is outlined in Figure 1. The primary courseoutcomes are listed for each

Conference Session

Capstone and Design Projects

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Eric John Addeo, DeVry University; Nugroho Iwan Santoso, DeVry University, North Brunswick; Chao-Ying Wang, DeVry University, North Brunswick; Raul San Martin Rivadulla, Graduate Education

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

currently professor and academic Coordinator of College Engineering c American Society for Engineering Education, 2015 Paper ID #13289courses 1-DeVry Brazil Education Group. Has experience in the field of chemistry and Petrochemistry,and Mechanical Processes for the industry. Experience and knowledge in the area of transformationprocesses and information technology. Developed consulting for large companies in the area of controland technological innovation. Know the transformation processes of thermoplastics, with emphasis intechnology

Conference Session

Exploring Graduate Student Experiences

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Martina V. Svyantek, Virginia Tech Department of Engineering Education; Lisa D. McNair, Virginia Tech

Tagged Divisions

Graduate Studies

National Science Board, the Association of American Universities, andother professional organizations issued the views of higher education leaders, highlighting theincreasing production of Ph.Ds., the shrinking academic job market, and difficulties transitioninginto the academic workforce [1]. More pertinently, these organizations also noted that theemphasis on research training leaves future faculty unprepared to perform other faculty roles,and the need to improve teaching to improve undergraduate education [1]. However, these reports were based on the views of organizational leaders about doctoralstudents’ needs; “none took the point of view of students” [1]. When doctoral students in the artsand sciences were surveyed, findings

Conference Session

Mathematics Division Technical Session 3

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Christine Lindstrøm, Oslo and Akershus University College

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

remote tutoring, a format the cousins foundparticularly helpful, as they could watch, replay and pause the explanations at their own pace.However, the availability on YouTube quickly made the videos a popular resource amongthousands of other students searching for online mathematics resources.1 This was thebeginning of Khan Academy, a free online learning resource comprising short videos on awide range of academic subjects, now ranging from mathematics to economics and history. In2010, KA received funding from private benefactors, Google and the Bill & Melinda GatesFoundation to form a non-profit organisation with a mission to provide "a free, world-classeducation for anyone, anywhere."2The mathematics module of KA is particularly well

Conference Session

Mobile Devices and Apps

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Andreas Karatsolis, MIT; Suguru Ishizaki, Carnegie Mellon University; Marsha C. Lovett, Carnegie Mellon University; Mollie Kaufer, Carnegie Mellon University; Stacie L. Rohrbach, Carnegie Mellon University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

to be accessible via a computer, tablet, or smartphone. The currentlyworking prototype was developed using HTML5 with Javascript. While the prototype wasdesigned for multiple platforms, it was primarily implemented and tested for iPads for the studyreported in this paper.Appendix A presents a series of screenshots from the working prototype on a tablet, whichillustrates the steps in one of the activities. In the beginning, the user is presented with a briefscenario or context for the activities (Fig. A-1). Immediately following, the user is presentedwith the initial screen that introduces the technical communication problem (Fig. A-2) and thenasked to (1) identify a problematic segment of a text (Fig. A-3), and (2) select an

Conference Session

Practical Teaching in Manufacturing – 2

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ana M. Djuric, Wayne State University; Vukica M. Jovanovic, Old Dominion University; Tatiana V. Goris, Purdue University, West Lafayette

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Manufacturing

critical industries of thiscentury: consumer electronics, food, solar & wind power, and advanced battery manufacturing toname just a few.” 1 Educational efforts presented in this paper are closely tied to the latest trendsspecified in "Investing in Next-Generation Robotics" platform by President Obama (June 24,2011) 2. The President has launched the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (AMP), a nationaleffort bringing together industry, universities, and the federal government to invest in the Page 26.1250.2emerging technologies that will create high quality manufacturing jobs and enhance our globalcompetitiveness. One of the key steps being

Conference Session

Curricular Issues in Computing and Information Technology Programs I

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John Pickard, East Carolina University; Annie Y. Patrick, East Carolina University; Dustin Stocks

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Computing & Information Technology

the level of IPv6 readiness ofinternational universities is largely unknown. Secondly, the quality or “effectiveness” ofuniversities that have IPv6 web services enabled is also unknown. This study addresses thesetwo challenges by providing the first known published assessment of the IPv6 enablement ofuniversities within a global scope.Though the need to become ready for IPv6 implementation may not be on the forefront of auniversity’s list of priorities, the effects of not becoming IPv6 ready can have negativeimplementations much sooner than administrators may anticipate. A university’s adoption ofIPv6 can affect the institution’s teaching, research, innovation, and budget.1 Partneringinstitutions and research facilities that are already IPv6

Conference Session

Topics in Computing and Information Technologies II

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Michael Tamir; Ronald S Harichandran P.E., University of New Haven; Lueny Morell, InnovaHiEd

Tagged Divisions

Computing & Information Technology

programs fail to engage 21st century learners, ignoring the plethora of resourcesand techniques made available by advanced technology.1 GalvanizeU offers programs that are industry relevant. Developed in partnership with theUniversity of New Haven (UNH), GalvanizeU’s data science program is based in Silicon Valley,California (San Francisco). GalvanizeU/UNH will infuse a new breed of diverse, creative andinterdisciplinary talent into the field of data science. This paper describes the innovative way in which GalvanizeU/UNH’s curriculum isdesigned to address the needs of students, educators, employers, and stakeholders, combininglearner-centered pedagogy, industry partnerships, and a commitment to continuous improvement.The first program

Conference Session

Simulation

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Natasha Smith P.E., University of Southern Indiana; Julian Ly Davis, University of Southern Indiana

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

finiteelement method. One could make the case that this is part of the natural evolution of any newtool (as one no longer needs to be a mechanic to drive a car). On the other hand, users absolutelyneed to know enough to understand the consequences of their own modeling choices (e.g. howboundary conditions are applied, element selection, meshes size, etc.). Thus, the proliferation ofFEA software in industry (1) necessitates treatment of these tools at the undergraduate level and(2) suggests a balance be struck between the software and theory in these courses.This paper details the authors’ experience with a first course in finite element analysis within anundergraduate only engineering curriculum. In particular, the struggle to find the best

Conference Session

NSF Grantees’ Poster Session

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Amelito G Enriquez, Canada College; Erik N Dunmire, College of Marin; Tom Rebold, Monterey Peninsula College; Nicholas Langhoff, Cañada College; Eva Schiorring, EduData4Action

Tagged Topics

NSF Grantees Poster Session

curriculum and resources developed.1. IntroductionThe 2012 President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) report, “Engageto Excel” indicates that the United States needs to produce one million additional STEMprofessionals in the next decade in order to retain its historical preeminence in science andtechnology. To meet this need, the number of undergraduate STEM degrees will have to increaseby about 34 percent annually over the current rates. The PCAST report proposes that addressingthe retention problem in the first two years of college is the most promising and cost-effectivestrategy to address this need.1 The California Community College System, with its 112community colleges and 71-off campus centers enrolling approximately

Conference Session

International Division Technical Session 3

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jane L. Lehr, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo; Dianne J DeTurris, California Polytechnic State University; Alana Christine Snelling; Nhu Y Tran; Lia Marie Applegarth

Tagged Divisions

International

& Business Development Professionals to Create Globally Competent Engineers via On- and Off-Campus ActivitiesAbstractEfforts to scale curricular and co-curricular experiences designed to foster globally competentengineers sit at an important crossroads. Education for global competency, along with thedevelopment of other “professional” or “soft” skills, is an important part of the formation of 21stcentury engineers. There is broad agreement that, “US engineers [of 2020] will face totallydifferent problems from the ones we face today” and “will have to be open to different religions,different ways of thinking, and different social values.”1 However, consensus does not existregarding how to cultivate globally

Conference Session

Novel Student Experiences in Chemical Engineering

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

D. Jake Follmer, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park; Sarah E. Zappe, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park; Esther W. Gomez, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park; Manish Kumar, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

postdoctoral research at the Harvard Medical School. He has 7 years of industrial research experience in environmental consulting and is dedicated to training young professionals. Page 26.1243.1 c American Society for Engineering Education, 2015 Preliminary Evaluation of a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program: A Methodology for Examining Student OutcomesAbstractThe current study presented an initial evaluation, following Year 1, of a National ScienceFoundation (NSF) sponsored Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program inchemical

Conference Session

Innovation in Engineering Leadership Education

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Cheryl Allendoerfer, University of Washington; Rebecca A. Bates, Minnesota State University, Mankato; Jennifer Karlin, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology; Ronald R. Ulseth, Iron Range Engineering; Dan Ewert

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Leadership Development Division

a two-year, project-based program that allows students with two-yearcollege degrees to complete a bachelor’s degree in engineering. The program is a partnershipbetween a community college and a state university, separated geographically by severalhundred miles. The program takes place at the community college, targeting students in that partof the state and responding to the needs of local industries. Because of the complex nature of theinstitutional partnership, as well as the project-based, team-focused emphasis, the program servesas an innovative model for engineering education.IntroductionThe engineering profession is becoming steadily more global in nature,1 creating the need forengineering education to develop a graduate who is

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Todd France, University of Colorado Boulder

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

degreein mechanical engineering while the other had worked in the construction field. Although neitherhad experience in engineering education methods, faculty members from a nearby engineeringcollege provided guidance. Before designing individual courses, the teachers generated twodocuments intended to form the foundation of all ensuring coursework. The first of thesedocuments, entitled the Academic Standards, focused on five key areas for student development:1) STEM career exploration, 2) collaborative teamwork skills, 3) STEM skills and knowledge, 4)open-ended hands-on design, and 5) communication skills. The second, called the Grade LevelExpectations, broadly outlined the learning outcomes for each of the program’s four years. Theseexpectations

Conference Session

Assessment and Outcomes: ERM Roundtable

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Samantha Ruth Brunhaver, Arizona State University; Shannon Katherine Gilmartin, Stanford University; Helen L. Chen, Stanford University; Holly M Matusovich, Virginia Tech; Sheri Sheppard, Stanford University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Educational Research and Methods

pedagogy that help to improve student engagement and understanding.Dr. Shannon Katherine Gilmartin, Stanford UniversityDr. Helen L. Chen, Stanford University Helen L. Chen is a research scientist in the Designing Education Lab in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Director of ePortfolio Initiatives in the Office of the Registrar at Stanford University. She is also a member of the research team in the National Center for Engineering Pathways to Innovation (Epicenter). Helen earned her undergraduate degree from UCLA and her PhD in Communication with a minor in Psychology from Stanford University in 1998. Her current research interests include: 1) engineering and entrepreneurship education; 2) the pedagogy of

Conference Session

K-12 & Pre- College Engineering Division Poster Session

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Paula Rees, University of Massachusetts, Amherst; Christine Olson, University of Massachusetts Amherst; Charles M Schweik, University of Massachusetts, Amherst; Steven D Brewer, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

computerskills that make it difficult to put them into the same classroom (page 29)”. For makerspaces tomake significant contributions to enhancing the participation of women and multiculturalstudents in STEM fields, we must make them attractive environments for these constituencies. Inthe paragraphs below we illustrate how the various elements of our programs try to achieve this.DiscussionOne way in which we have tried to attract a variety of audiences is by providing multiple formatsfor participation: (1) a long-term after school program, (2) periodic “Maker Meetup” workshopsin our space, and (3) introductory outreach events. The 21st Century afterschool programprovides an opportunity to work with the same group of middle school students over the

Conference Session

General Technical Session

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John P. Mullen, New Mexico State University

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

mathematical constructs in the question? Ifmath literacy is poor, how can students be effectively taught engineering concepts or berationally evaluated?Unfortunately, many engineering students are not highly-skilled in math literacy[1, 2]. Perhaps,this is because this skill is in the overlap between English and mathematics[3] and, as a result, isnot addressed as fully as is could be. Whatever the reason, the weakness is evident in the resultsof the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) assessments. The tests, scored ona 1000-point scale, assess 15-year-old students’ abilities. They have been held every three yearssince 2000, with the latest being in 2012. The 2012 test included over 500,000 students in 65countries or economies[4]. As

Conference Session

Design Pedagogy

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Lyndia Stacey, University of Waterloo; Andrew Trivett, University of Waterloo; Jen Rathlin, University of Waterloo; Kyu Won Choi, University of Waterloo

Tagged Divisions

Design in Engineering Education

to selectan appropriate case study that: 1. Directly applies to the content of the course, 2. Is clear as to what the students will be doing (what are the case activities?), 3. Provides a sufficient challenge at an appropriate skill-level for the students, and 4. Instills interest and engagement.One method of increasing interest in the case itself is to select one that is related to the careerinterests of the students1, 4, 13. Choosing a case study in their field can highlight the type ofexperience they hope to gain after graduation, which is appealing to students4. These cases are asimulation of “on-the-job” learning2.A large group of students can make this selection difficult because their areas of interest will bemore

Conference Session

NSF Grantees’ Poster Session

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mario Simoni, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology; Maurice F. Aburdene, Bucknell University; Farrah Fayyaz, Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology; Vladimir A Labay, Gonzaga University; Jay Wierer, Milwaukee School of Engineering; Wenli Huang, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY

Tagged Topics

NSF Grantees Poster Session

typical situation for mostprograms. We have received NSF funding to explore the sources of difficulty in such courses anddetermine effective methods of helping students to learn the material. A major outcome of thisproject is to produce a workshop that communicates pedagogical research results, gathersdifferent perspectives from other schools through focused discussion, and develops a broadercommunity of interested pedagogical researchers. By June 2015, the workshop will have beenoffered five times, each time over a different duration from 1.5 hours to 3 days and with avarying audience [1-4]. This paper describes the contents of the workshop, the experiences of theattendees, and the results of interacting with the various attendees.Regardless of

Conference Session

Continuing Professional Development Division Technical Session 2

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sheng-peng Wu, University of Wisconsin at Madison

Tagged Divisions

Continuing Professional Development

with disabilities in all Page 26.141.2areas of public life. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act protects individuals from   1  discrimination based on disability status and applies to organizations receiving federalfunds. States receiving funds through the Assistive Technology Act of 1998vi are requiredto comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and ensure that electronic andinformation technology is accessible to individuals with disabilities. Since all statesreceive this funding, state entities like public universities must comply with the

Conference Session

International Division Technical Session 8

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Stephanie Marie Kusano, Virginia Tech; Aditya Johri, George Mason University

Tagged Divisions

International

to develop global competencies has become apressing necessity for engineering programs given the highly global nature of engineering workthat requires the ability to work productively with other cultures. Study abroad programs, virtualglobal courses, and courses and modules focused on engineering for a global society, are allpedagogical approaches to improving engineering students’ global competencies. Although theseformal education approaches can be highly effective, they are not always accessible to a widepopulation of students and largely engage students for only a single and short portion ofstudents’ academic experiences.1 Increasingly, extracurricular activities, such as EWB, haveemerged as another an alternative that offer students an

Conference Session

ECCD Innovations in Energy Engineering & Technology

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Radian G Belu, University of Alaska Anchorage; Richard Chiou, Drexel University (Eng. & Eng. Tech.); Tzu-Liang Bill Tseng, University of Texas, El Paso; Lucian Ionel Cioca, "Lucian Blaga" University of Sibiu, Romania

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

energy has been marked by four broad trends: (1) risingconsumption and a transition from traditional sources of energy (e.g., wood, dung, agriculturalresidues) to commercial forms of energy (e.g., electricity, fossil fuels); (2) steady improvementin the power and efficiency of energy technologies; and (3) a tendency (at least for most of the20th century) toward fuel diversification and de-carbonization, especially for electricityproduction; and (4) reducing pollution emissions1-16. These trends have largely been positive.However, the rate of technology improvement has not been sufficient to keep pace with thenegative consequences of rapid growth in energy demand. The task, then, is not so much tochange course as it is to accelerate progress

Conference Session

College Industry Partnerships Division Technical Session 2

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mark Angolia, East Carolina University; Leslie Pagliari, East Carolina University; James Kirby Easterling, Eastern Kentucky University School of Business

Tagged Divisions

College Industry Partnerships

be noted that the department level makes up thefoundational structure of a college because it is to the individual department that collegeprofessors will be tenured.Table 1. Industrial to Academic Structure Comparison Industrial Structure Academic Equivalent Comments Corporation University The entire organization Divisions Colleges Related product groups Manufacturing Plant Department Specialized groups Production Departments Degree Programs Individual products3. Organizational Hierarchy ComparisonThe key to a successful transition from industry to academia requires

Conference Session

Entrepreneurship & Engineering Innovation Division – Evaluating Student Behaviors and Attitudes

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Daniel M. Ferguson, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Kathryn W. Jablokow, Pennsylvania State University, Great Valley; Matthew W. Ohland, Purdue University; Senay Purzer, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Jessica Dolores Menold, Pennsylvania State University, University Park

Tagged Divisions

Entrepreneurship & Engineering Innovation

concluded that a sample of 53 engineering innovators provided asufficient population for our qualitative analysis of engineering innovativenesscharacteristics (Mason, 2010). The experience levels and recognitions received by asample of ten of the engineering innovator interviewees is shown in Table 1. Allinterviewee names are represented by a pseudonym to keep their identities andremarks confidential. Page 26.1650.5 Table 1: Engineering Innovator Interview Study Sample Pseu- *Type Gen- Years of ***Formal **Types of donym of der Innovation Education Innovation

Conference Session

The Human Element of Librarianship

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sara M. Samuel, University of Michigan; Paul F. Grochowski, University of Michigan; Leena N Lalwani, University of Michigan; Jake Carlson, University of Michigan Library

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Libraries

 Foundation (NSF) began requiring researchers to include a data  1​management plan (DMP) as a part of their submitted proposals for funding.​  As defined by the NSF, a DMP should include:  ● a description of the data being developed,   ● the standards that will be employed in formatting and developing the content of the data  and metadata produced,   ● policies for accessing and sharing the data with others,  ● statements on how the data may be re­used, re­distributed or used to produce derivatives,  and  Page 26.215.2

Conference Session

New Teaching Pedagogies: Methods and Assessments

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Luz Adriana Amaya-Bower, Central State Connecticut University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

findings show that the current Page 26.343.2methodology can be expanded to other classes throughout the curriculum.1 IntroductionThe main goal of an educator is to provide knowledge and experience to the students throughdifferent teaching techniques. Developing and improving these techniques is an area that has beenstudied for many decades and will continue evolving for many years to come. As an educator, onehas to find teaching methods which best fit the subject matter and provide a learning experiencethat eventually will improve the professional practice 1 . In recent years, studies have shown thatfor engineering, mathematics and science there

Conference Session

Mathematics Division Technical Session 2

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Khalid El Gaidi, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH); Tomas Ekholm, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH)

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

show proficiency in abstractconceptual understanding in mathematics. 1 Diagnostic tests administered at the beginning ofengineering programs at a mid-sized Swedish University have shown declining results during thelast decade, a trend shared with other western countries. This substantially lowers the pass ratesand overall grades in mathematical courses and creates problems in the subsequent courses inscience and technology. Furthermore, it causes attrition and considerably delays graduation formany students with consequences for the individual and society at large. Page 26.401.2Students may be unprepared for abstract thinking in mathematics for