Conference Session

Energy Conversion and Conservation Division Technical Session 1

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John M. Mativo, University of Georgia; Daniel Plant, University of Georgia; Daniel Ethan Wallon, University of Georgia

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

match the tooling available. In all, theproject was a difficult, but rewarding experience for everyone involved.IntroductionExperiential learning theory defines learning as "the process whereby knowledge is createdthrough the transformation of experience. Knowledge is a result of a combination of graspingand transforming experience” [1]. Experience created by overcoming the challenge to perform anenergy conversion of a prime mover is regarded as a convergence approach. The convergingstyle dominates learning areas of abstract conceptualization and active experimentation.Individuals with such learning preferences work best with technical tasks and problem solving.This learning style is best suited for people who enjoy experiments, simulations

Conference Session

Technical Session 1: Issues Impacting Students Learning How to Program

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Alex Daniel Edgcomb, Zybooks; Frank Vahid, University of California, Riverside; Roman Lysecky, University of Arizona

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

readings and homeworks. Coral has been used byabout 2600 students at 21 universities.1. Introduction: Why a new language?Industry coding languages like Python, Java, and C++ were designed mostly for professionals,not learners. Python is often considered the simplest to learn, but as one long-time instructor putit, “even Python has its ‘Gotchas'”, which is supported by some research where evidence wasfound that students struggle with Python as much as with C++ [1][2][3]. For example, somePython syntax is non-intuitive to learners, like reading integers. Another example is that the lackof static typing in Python can yield hard-to-debug type-related errors. We consideredsubsetting/redefining Python for learners, but knew the needed departures could

Conference Session

Experimentation and Laboratory-Oriented Studies Division Technical Session 1

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Hadi Kazemiroodsari, Wentworth Institute of Technology; Phillip Curtsmith, Wentworth Institute of Technology; Nikolai Vaycheslav Gabardi; Anuja Kamat, Wentworth Institute of Technology; Kamren S. Donovan

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Experimentation and Laboratory-Oriented Studies

concept of buckling to civil engineering students.Introduction One of the most critical modes of failure in columns is buckling. When a long column issubjected to compressive force, the member might deflect perpendicular to the direction of theforce. Excessive deflection due to axial force might result to failure of the column. This mode offailure is known as buckling. When a member fails due to buckling, although the member isunder compressive force, but the failure is not due to lack of compressive strength of thematerial. Mainly, columns are designed for the buckling capacity. Figure 1 presents a concretecolumn experiencing buckling under compressive force. Figure 1: Buckling failure of a member under compression force [1

Conference Session

Experimentation and Laboratory-Oriented Studies Division Technical Session 1

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Gordon P. Smith, Western Kentucky University

Tagged Divisions

Experimentation and Laboratory-Oriented Studies

concepts throughout theircollege career. Indeed, as their studies delve deeper into upper division courses, matters evolvefrom conceptually straightforward (i.e., statics) to more sophisticated (deformable) andpotentially abstract (thermodynamics). Challenges can arise correcting mistaken preconceptions,and linking perceptually-abstract mathematical formulas to real-world examples. Indeed, studies[1], [2] show that students value real life applications of the material covered, and that suchapplications contribute to a deep conceptual knowledge.Western Kentucky University offers programs in civil, electrical and mechanical engineering,presented with a focus on project-based learning. The institution further maintain activerelationships with the

Conference Session

Experimentation and Laboratory-Oriented Studies Division Technical Session 1

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

David MacNair, Georgia Institute of Technology; David Edward Torello, Georgia Institute of Technology; Jeffrey A. Donnell, Georgia Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Experimentation and Laboratory-Oriented Studies

Interactive Internal Combustion Engine Lab ProjectIntroductionLaboratory courses are an important part of undergraduate engineering programs. They arespecified in ABET’s list of student outcomes, they provide concrete experiences to reinforcelessons taught in lecture classes, and they give students some of the relatively few hands-onexperiences available in traditional engineering programs. However, while specific problemshave been difficult to identify, laboratory courses have for many years been a source ofdiscomfort and concern among engineering faculty. In 1983, Ernst outlined problems of focusand staffing that we still confront today [1]; Edward’s survey makes it clear that these concernshad not gone away by 2002 [2], as

Conference Session

Engineering Design Graphics Division Technical Session 1 - Current Issues

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Anthony P. Garland, Clemson University; Sarah Jane Grigg, Clemson University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Design Graphics

statisticallysignificant level. TAs are effective at providing informative feedback that provides direction forimproving the model, but it is a time consuming process. At this time, the software is not able tooffer substantial and specific feedback to the students on how to improve, and it is recommendedto use the computational grading tools in conjunction with human graders. Using the software toprioritize which files need TA feedback, those with similarity scores below a threshold value,may lead to a more efficient and effective use of resources to provide a quality feedback loop.Introduction and MotivationAt Clemson University, the introductory engineering graphics course, ENGR 2080, usesSOLIDWORKS [1] to teach 3D modeling of parts and assemblies. To help the

Conference Session

Engineering Physics and Physics Division Technical Session 1

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Amy Fritz, Stanford University ; Carl E. Wieman, Stanford University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics and Physics

sample size.IntroductionFrom ABET criteria to the DBER report from the National Academy of Sciences, ourcommunity acknowledges the importance of skills beyond content knowledge, yet very littleresearch has been done to define and assess these skills [1] [2]. The goal of our cross-disciplinarycollaboration is to identify important problem-solving skills across science, engineering, andmedicine and to create assessments that measure these skills within the context of a given field.This paper discusses a particular assessment developed for optical engineering, called opticsblack box, which is designed to test a number of problem-solving decisions. Students worked onthis assessment during think-aloud interviews, which allowed us to hear their

Conference Session

Energy Conversion and Conservation Division Technical Session 1

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jinmyun Jo, Virginia State University; Xiaoyu Zhang, Old Dominion University; Ali A. Ansari, Virginia State University; Pamela Leigh-Mack, Virginia State University; James Irvin Cooke Jr., Virginia State University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

anode side while oxygen flows through the cathode side as shown in Fig.1. Thehydrogen molecules split into electrons and protons (positive hydrogen ions). The electrons flowthrough the external circuit, while the protons flow through the membrane to the cathode to reactwith oxygen ions and electrons, producing electricity and H2O as a by-product. Fig. 1. PEMFC Diagram.When it comes to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as an industrial application, PEMFCs cansupport much longer flight endurance than internal combustion engine and battery do. In 2006,it was reported that a 2.5 kg UAV powered by an 85 W average, Protonex Technology 110Wpeak PEM fuel cell flew for up to 3h 19min11. Later, Lyon et al. demonstrated

Conference Session

Energy Conversion and Conservation Division Technical Session 1

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Matthew R. Aldeman, Illinois State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

from the Departments of Technology,Economics, Physics, Business, and others. The Renewable Energy Program operates on five goals that align with the strategic goalsof the college and university. The five goals of the Renewable Energy program are: 1. Provide students with high quality educational experiences by featuring a modern, up-to- date curriculum that will develop the technical and managerial knowledge, skills, and attitudes that are foundational to success as RE professionals. 2. Recruit and graduate a diverse group of individuals to support companies and organizations that will employ RE professionals in the state and throughout the United States. 3. Provide opportunities for students to interface with

Conference Session

Engineering Physics and Physics Division Technical Session 1

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Huseyin Sarper P.E., Old Dominion University; Drew Landman, Old Dominion University; Nebojsa I. Jaksic, Colorado State University, Pueblo; Ben J. Stuart P.E., Old Dominion University; Joseph Tyler Zongolowicz, NAVAIR; Linda Vahala, Old Dominion University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics and Physics

flexureload frame that ensures that only the thrust from the engine is measured. The test stand wasdesigned and built by a graduate student so that the students in the introduction to engineeringcourse can conduct their own experiments using model rocket engines of various sizes. Fromobtained time-thrust curves, the students were successful in using three different techniques(adding trapezoid areas using Excel, manually counting the number of squares under the thrustcurve and using a MATLAB program) to calculate the impulse. A students’ attitude survey showedthat the students were highly satisfied with this hands-on experience in rocket science andintegration.IntroductionExperiential learning is a well-documented [1-3] and a well recognized part of

Conference Session

Software Engineering Constituent Committee Division Technical Session 1

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

J. Scott Hawker, Rochester Institute of Technology (COE); Robert Kuehl, Rochester Institute of Technology; Mehdi Mirakhorli

Tagged Divisions

Software Engineering Constituent Committee

havecollected over the years. In addition, we have built in opportunities for students to specify,design, and assess the quality of their own work.The merged requirements and architecture course leads into a two-semester capstone seniorproject. This senior project engages students and external sponsors in an end-to-end,requirements-to-delivery project. Requirements engineering and architecture design are centralto this team-based senior project, and the merged requirements and architecture course givesstudents the system-wide problem-space/solution-space mindset necessary to succeed in theirsenior projects.Course StructureThe merged requirements and architecture course is designed with three main threads that occurin parallel, as Figure 1 shows. We use

Conference Session

Software Engineering Constituent Committee Division Technical Session 1

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Pat Smith, Oklahoma Christian University of Science and Arts

Tagged Divisions

Software Engineering Constituent Committee

he worked with Cisco customers designing and deploying core Internet designs and technologies. In 2005 Mr. Smith earned a master’s degree in Computer Science from Colorado State and 1 year later left industry to teach engineering at Oklahoma Christian University. Mr. Smith’s emphasis is in first year student success, mentoring young engineers, and data communications. He consistently scores well in student feedback and enjoys regular strong relationships with his students and classes. c American Society for Engineering Education, 2016Adding Software Engineering Emphasis to an ECE curriculumAbstractThis paper describes a project conducted at Oklahoma Christian (OC) University to add

Conference Session

Software Engineering Constituent Committee Division Technical Session 1

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Dan Tappan, Eastern Washington University

Tagged Divisions

Software Engineering Constituent Committee

, describes the project, and connects these concepts to studentlearning and a summary of the outcomes.2 Software engineering foundationSoftware engineering is a vast collection of theory and practice with the goal of producing thehighest-quality software at the lowest cost. It shares many characteristics with traditionalengineering design processes, but for the purposes of this work, the following elements are theemphasis. In particular, this course promotes the Agile methodology, which is supposed toachieve the same results without imposing onerous, administration-heavy overhead.1 Agile is nota substitute for proper planning and execution, however, so this freedom demands discipline,which is generally lacking in students at this stage of their

Conference Session

Software Engineering Constituent Committee Division Technical Session 1

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Walter W Schilling Jr., Milwaukee School of Engineering

Tagged Divisions

Software Engineering Constituent Committee

systemwas worthwhile.The general process for asynchronous multimedia feedback is shown in Figure 1. Studentssubmit their assignments in a traditional manner using a course management system, in this case,Blackboard. The instructor then grades the assignment, capturing in real time their computerscreen and audio commentary. This is accomplished using one of many readily availablesoftware packages, including but not limited to Camtasia Studio, Microsoft Expression, Jing, orSnagit. As the program is executing or the code is being reviewed, annotations are made on thescreen in real time using a tool such as Epic pen, which allows annotations to be made on top of Figure 1: Asynchronous Multimedia Feedback flow.any desktop. These

Conference Session

Engineering and Public Policy Division Technical Session 1

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Deborah Diane Stine, Carnegie Mellon University; Deanna H. Matthews, Carnegie Mellon University; Nichole Hanus, Carnegie Mellon University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering and Public Policy

the skills they have learned. The module takes a flipped classroom/activelearning approach by using short videos to educate students, activities to practice the skillstaught, and incorporates real-world examples such as hydraulic fracturing, drones, and 3Dprinting.The public policy analysis for engineers module was initially a worksheet developed to helpwalk engineering students through the eight steps of University of California-Berkeley ProfessorEmeritus Eugene Bardach’s “A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis: The Eightfold Path to MoreEffective Problem Solving.”1 First published in 2000, and now in its 5th edition, “A PracticalGuide” is a short, easy-to-read and understand guide based on the work of well-known publicpolicy intellectual

Conference Session

Engineering and Public Policy Division Technical Session 1

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mike Ellis, Idaho State University; Richard M. Wabrek P.E., Idaho State University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering and Public Policy

accreditation standards related to faculty governance. Thesestandards often advocate faculty involvement in the decision-making process, but often stop short Page 26.766.3of requiring a shared faculty governance model as advocated by the AAUP. The NorthwestCommission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) is the regional accrediting body foruniversities in the seven-state Northwest region. Its standard 2.A.1 on Governance reads asfollows: “The institution demonstrates an effective and widely understood system of governance with clearly defined authority, roles, and responsibilities. Its decision-making structures and processes make

Conference Session

Engineering and Public Policy Division Technical Session 1

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mike Ellis, Idaho State University; Richard M. Wabrek P.E., Idaho State University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering and Public Policy

conduct of one of itsemployees. However, the employer may be liable if its policy statement, ordinance, regulation,official decision, or custom causes a violation of a constitutional right. Successful plaintiffs mayalso be awarded attorney’s fees.To substantiate a First Amendment retaliation claim under this statute, a public employee mustpresent evidence that: 1. her speech was protected by the First Amendment, 2. her employer has caused her to suffer a deprivation likely to deter free speech and 3. her speech was at least a motivating factor in the employer’s action.7Consequently, in every public-employee, free-speech case the court must first determine whetherthe speech was protected by the First Amendment.Landmark Supreme Court

Conference Session

Fundamental: K-12 Students and Engineering Design Practices (Part 1)

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mary McCormick, Tufts University; Jessica Watkins, Tufts University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

the classroom. Ouranalyses of student engagement suggest that students’ tacit understandings of the activity– what they think is going on – influence their engagement in engineering design12,13.In this study, we invoke a framing lens to examine how students make sense of NovelEngineering design activities on a moment-by-moment basis. We conduct an in depthstudy of one group of students to (1) explore how the students’ framings dynamicallyshift and evolve over the course of their design experience, and (2) examine how theirframings interact with their engagement in disciplinary practices. We present ourdevelopment of a coding scheme that is grounded in data to capture framing transitionsand stabilities over the course of students’ design

Conference Session

Fundamental: K-12 Students and Engineering Design Practices (Part 1)

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Molly H Goldstein, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Senay Purzer, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Mitch Zielinski, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Robin Adams, Purdue University, West Lafayette

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

design is limited. A 2008literature review concluded that many K-12 engineering education projects lacked data collectionand analysis to provide reliable evidence of learning.1 Design is a complex cognitive process2,3and in the context of K-12 science education, engineering design is a complex cognitive activityin which students learn and apply science concepts to solve open-ended problems withconstraints to meet specified criteria.The complexity, open-endedness, and length of an engineering design process create uniqueopportunities for students to make science connections. The focus of engineering designassessment is not simply on whether or not students “get the right answer,” but on how theyacquire science and engineering knowledge and skills

Conference Session

Student Learning, Problem Solving, and Critical Thinking 1

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

K. Jo Min, Iowa State University; John Jackman, Iowa State University; Jason C.K. Chan

Tagged Divisions

Educational Research and Methods

increase in the use of visual Page 24.1363.2models for abstract concepts in textbooks, DVDs, and online resources.To our knowledge, however, there has been little systematic research on whether and howvisual models help engineering students better understand abstract concepts especially in theareas of industrial engineering, engineering management, and systems engineering. Toaddress this issue from an engineering education research perspective, two essential questionsare (1) to what extent do visual models of such concepts help students develop a completemental model and (2) whether better mental models lead to better understanding of thedomain

Conference Session

Engineering and Public Policy Division Technical Session 1

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Judy L. Cezeaux, Western New England University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering and Public Policy

as well as a faculty member at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Page 26.1781.1 c American Society for Engineering Education, 2015 “And Now for Something Completely Different” – A Faculty Sabbatical in Public PolicyIntroductionThe title phrase,1 coined and made popular by Monty Python, uniquely describes the transitionfrom engineering educator to public policy participant for a biomedical engineering facultymember partaking in a one-semester public policy sabbatical at an honorific and advocacyorganization in Washington, DC. A major goal of the sabbatical

Conference Session

Engineering and Public Policy Division Technical Session 1

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kacey D Beddoes, Oregon State University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Engineering and Public Policy

include gender in engineering education research, interdisciplinarity, peer review, engineers’ epistemologies, and global engineering education. Page 26.626.1 c American Society for Engineering Education, 2015 Engineering Faculty Members’ Discussing the Role of University Policy in Addressing UnderrepresentationIntroductionDespite over thirty years of research and outreach to recruit and retain female engineeringstudents, women remain significantly underrepresented in engineering.1 While a large amount ofliterature has been generated on gender inequalities in faculty careers, no

Conference Session

Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and Digital Systems Education 1

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mehran Mozaffari Kermani, Rochester Institute of Technology (COE); Reza Azarderakhsh, Rochester Institute of technology

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

’ knowledge. As such, in order toprovide select topics and sub-topics essentially needed for cryptographic engineeringresearch/teaching integration, we need to differentiate the materials used in embedded securitycourses11, 12 and the ones specific to deeply-embedded security for the purpose of integration inthis paper. Table 1 presents select topics we have considered in the integration process. We notethat the topics presented can be extended to a larger, more comprehensive list. Nonetheless,because the presented work is scalable, such extension is acceptable and possible (based on thesecurity requirements, the overheads that can be tolerated, and the usage models

Conference Session

Software Engineering Constituent Committee Division Technical Session 1

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Anna Koufakou, Florida Gulf Coast University

Tagged Divisions

Software Engineering Constituent Committee

theprevious semester). The course objectives are listed below: Learn techniques, processes, and challenges involved in requirements elicitation, analysis, validation and management; Be able to work in a group environment to perform activities and provide documentation related to all phases of software development, focusing on requirements analysis, while also carrying out design, implementation, and testing; Be able to construct UML diagrams (e.g. Sequence Diagram, State Diagram); Conduct an oral presentation and demonstration of a software project developed by a group.Table 1 shows a general outline of course topics. For example, “Writing Requirements” includesFormal/Informal/Semi-Formal techniques, SRS standards and recommended

Conference Session

Engineering and Public Policy Division Technical Session 1

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John Heywood, Trinity College-Dublin; R. Alan Cheville, Bucknell University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Engineering and Public Policy

educators will be “restricted” professionals [1]. Some countries however, such as the UK and Sweden, dorequire intending university faculty to have training in teaching and learning. It can be argued that such training servesas the teaching equivalent of the PE; the PEE, as it were.All of this implies a second characteristic of a profession, that is, that it possesses a codified body of knowledge andexpertise. A third characteristic of a profession is that it has agreed standards of behavior, and a set of ethical standardsthat members abide by or face sanctions for violating.This paper argues that, certifications or degrees aside, university teaching should be a professional activity and effectivetraining should be required. If engineering

Conference Session

Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and Digital Systems Education 1

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Joanne Bechta Dugan, University of Virginia

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

. Page 26.1062.4Figure 1. Exploring multiple decoders Working on their laptops with their neighbors, students download a Logisim file containing a set of related circuits and an “exploration guide” (usually as a Microsoft Word file). The “exploration guide” contains a set of instructions (for example “set the inputs to specific values and observe the output”, “now change the inputs in a specific way and observe the results”, “record your observations here”) and a set of questions that focus their attention on different aspects of the circuit. The idea is that the students are “explorers” in a foreign world (the world of digital circuits). The recording of observations (using words, equations and tables) helps students to

Conference Session

Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and Digital Systems Education 1

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Bryan A. Jones, Mississippi State University; Jane Nicholson Moorhead, Mississippi State University; M. Jean Mohammadi-Aragh, Mississippi State University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

library of datapath components to enablestudents to create modern, register-transfer level (RTL) driven designs without requiring studentsto develop a deep expertise in an HDL. In addition, the use of assertions supported by newer HDLsprovides students with immediate feedback on the correctness of their designs, a vital featurewhich enables them to succeed in the creation of complex designs.1. BackgroundThe rapid advances in the density of integrated circuits dramatically changes the content whichshould be covered in an introductory course on digital logic. In particular, the history of advancesin programmable logic devices, which enable students in a laboratory context to implement a dig-ital system, defines the size of the design which students

Conference Session

Visualization Within Engineering Design Graphics Education Session 1

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Olga Maria Stavridis, Ohio State University; Lisa Abrams, Ohio State University; Sheryl A. Sorby, Ohio State University; Darryl T Hamamoto, The Ohio State University College of Dentistry; Ken Sigler, The Ohio State University College of Dentistry

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Design Graphics

it through one of five diagrams ofan aperture. For Keyhole problems, once the object starts through the aperture, it cannot beturned in space. Figure 1 shows a sample problem from the keyhole portion of the test. Figure 1. Keyhole problems from the PAT (Correct answer is A)The second type of problem on the PAT is called the Top/Front/End problem. Theseproblems are essentially missing view problems where students are presented with two viewsof an object, e.g., the top and front views, and they must choose the missing view from thechoices given. Figure 2 shows an example problem from the Top/Front/End portion of thePAT. Figure 2. Top/Front/End problems from the PAT (Correct answer is B

Conference Session

Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and Digital Systems Education 1

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Cheng Chih Liu, University of Wisconsin Stout

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

sequential logic, and then use the computer architecture theories as theguidance of system design and development for student projects using Field Programmable GateArrays (FPGAs). Several textbooks [1] – [4] and papers [8] – [12] discuss those techniques indetail. Different from many existing approaches, our embedded systems course focuses on digitaldesigns of FPGA-based systems with an emphasis on small-scale autonomous vehicles. Tofacilitate student robotics projects, the course was restructured with a series of FPGA-basedlaboratory exercises before the students began to build their autonomous vehicles. The goal is toallow the students to learn mechatronics and apply knowledge of FPGAs as they constructautonomous vehicles to sense and react to

Conference Session

Fundamental: K-12 Students and Engineering Design Practices (Part 1)

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Gina M Quan, University of Maryland, College Park; Ayush Gupta, University of Maryland, College Park

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

knowledge about a particular system in an exploratory way, often withthe goal of getting some product/idea to produce desired behavior.1-5 Tinkering thus contrastswith more deliberate activity towards conceptual understanding of how some phenomenon worksor more pre-planned approaches to design. Some researchers have argued that tinkering is anunproductive process because it does not always lead to progress and/or conceptual learning.4,5Others view it as productive for students’ learning and for generation of novel solutions.1-3 In thispaper, we do a fine-timescale analysis of the process of tinkering to speak to this tension aboutthe productivity (or unproductivity) of tinkering for novice designers and programmers. Weclaim that tinkering, or ad