case study exploring the connections among women’s experiences in engineering, their identities as writers, and their writing.Harold Ackler P.E., Boise State University c American Society for Engineering Education, 2019 Using Reflection to Facilitate Writing Knowledge Transfer in Upper-Level Materials Science CoursesIntroductionWhen students enter upper-level engineering courses, they may bring with them unclear orinconsistent approaches to writing in engineering. Influenced by their past experiences withwriting, students encountering engineering genres such as reports and proposals may struggle towrite successfully [1]. They may struggle in part because of the messiness inherent in
TimeCardsystem appears be a useful tool to confront “social loafing” or “freeriding”- where some studentsfail to contribute their fair share of the work. This system may be particularly helpful forCapstone instructors with large classes and large teams who are seeking greater visibility onteam processes and more quantifiable data for evaluating individual effort.Introduction and BackgroundThe practice of engineering requires individuals to work with others towards a common goal,and engineers spend a surprisingly large amount of time interacting with other people tocoordinate and complete work [1]. Capstone Design is typically a team endeavor that allowsengineering students to practice "soft skills" such as teamwork and communication that areessential
framework is desired to give students more direction and structure sothat their capstone projects (or senior design projects) can be expanded to have more relevantmarket value. The intent of the entrepreneurial approach is not to graduate students who willstart their own businesses (although some of the engineering alumni have already done so), butto motivate and create value for themselves and their employer that benefits society bydeveloping their entrepreneurial mindset [1] [2] [3] [4].Based on the authors’ experience, some students have a hard time coming up with a project thatmeets the requirements for the capstone course. This paper describes attempts to introduceentrepreneurial concepts integrated into a capstone course, given in this paper
farther than the students in their classroomsand hallways to know that they are living in an ever-increasing digital world. In fact, in onestudy conducted at Baylor University amongst 164 college students, it was found that malecollege students spent an average of nearly 8 hours per day on their cell phone while femalecollege students spent nearly 10 hours per day [1]. Besides the plethora of social media apps tobe used to connect with one another, many college students use their devices to watch digitalmedia through streaming services like Netflix. In fact, a survey commissioned by LendEDUfound that 92% of college students had access to a Netflix account [2].While it seems most students could concentrate on a tiny screen for hours on end, it has
third of the course.Engaging and maintaining student interest in the geology content had been challenging, as someof the engineering students struggled to appreciate the relevance of basic geology to CEE [1, 2].The authors were inspired by the reported benefits of a flipped (i.e. inverted) engineeringclassroom described in the literature for mechanics courses typically taught in engineeringundergraduate curriculums [3-10]. At Villanova, other faculty in the civil engineering 1department have been successful in implementing these techniques in their mechanics andstructural design courses [10, 11]. Other studies on the impacts of the flipped engineeringclassroom have been reported for software [12
concepts and techniques.However, a major portion of teaching still takes places in classroom settings. Educators adoptvarious pedagogical practices, teaching-aids, and technologies to engage students in learningthe course contents effectively within the controlled environment of classrooms. In ideal classsettings, an instructor should be able to reach out to all students regardless of their learningstyles. These learning styles could be sensory, intuitive, visual, verbal, reflective, active,sequential and global as defined in the Index of Learning Styles (ILS) classification system[1] - [5].Active and hands-on learning in environmental engineering is not new. More recently, theauthor has been involved in multiple studies focused on promoting
., Department of Mechanical Engineering and Technology, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston, MA 02115, Phone: 617-989-4223, Email: Lex@wit.edu, Specialization in Com- puter Aided Design, Mechanical Design, Finite Element Analysis, Fatigue Design, Solid Mechanics and Engineering Reliability c American Society for Engineering Education, 2019 Utilize Project to Help Students Learning in Mechanical Vibration CourseAbstractMechanical Vibration has been a three credit required course by the Mechanical Engineering program atWentworth Institute of Technology (WIT) since Spring 2014. Many students struggle in this coursebecause of two reasons:1) the level of math involved; vibration course needs to solve
and it is an elective forboth electrical engineering and computer science majors. The class meets three times a weekwith two, one hour lectures and one two hour laboratory. The number of students enrolled in thiscourse over the last six years is shown in Figure 1 and has averaged around 15 students. Havingsmall class sizes such as these makes it more feasible to give each student the help and attentionneeded in order to successfully complete each project. Each student works on his or her ownrobot, which assures that every student gains experience with all aspects of the project. Year 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 # Students enrolled 15 16 14 12 21
students’ misconceptions Dr. Natasha Andrade, University of MarylandAbstract It is known that students, before taking engineering courses, have prior notions aboutnatural phenomena gained in college science courses and in K-12 education. Sometimes, theseprior notions may not align with currently accepted scientific knowledge and experts’ knowledge[1], [2]. Bridging the gap between how students understand basic science principles and howexperts understand the same principles can be a challenge. However, this challenge is worthundertaking as the understanding of basic scientific principles influence engineering practice [3]. This paper presents the results of two assessments
engineering education research. Dr. Svihla studies learning in authentic, real world conditions; this includes a two-strand research program focused on (1) authentic assessment, often aided by interactive technology, and (2) design learning, in which she studies engineers designing devices, scientists designing investigations, teachers designing learning experiences and students designing to learn.Dr. Yan Chen, University of New Mexico Yan Chen is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Departments of Organization, Information & Learning Sciences and Chemical & Biological Engineering at the University of New Mexico. Her research interests fo- cus on computer supported collaborative learning, learning sciences, online learning
develop ashort form survey that gives accurate results, such that students can take a web-hosted writingattitudes survey and immediately be given their “writing attitude profile” with writing strategiestailored to their specific writing profile.Introduction and Literature Review Engineering writing is a competency is an oft-cited competency necessary for success inacademic engineering and graduate school [1]–[7]; however, few graduate-level engineeringprograms have dedicated initiatives to increase graduate student writing proficiency [8]–[11].While writing centers and similar initiatives can be useful, ultimately, at the graduate level,students need to develop literacy within their technical disciplines to anticipate the needs, values
Education, 2019 Validation of an Instrument to Measure Student Engagement with a Standards-Based Grading SystemIntroductionThis research paper presents the development and validation of an instrument intended tomeasure the engagement of students with standards-based grading (SBG) systems. Such systemscan complement the use of backwards design [1], [2], a curriculum development strategyintended to improve student learning which is taking hold in engineering education. Increasingly,engineering instructors are working towards more clear identification of intended learningobjectives, alignment of curriculum, and adoption of transparent, informative, and feedback richassessment strategies. Instructors are in essence creating
multidisciplinary backgrounds, blurring thelines between discipline-specific boundaries. Machines, materials, and processes constantly growin complexity due to their purpose and flexibility as well as customer expectations. However,there is growing emphasis on engineers with “professional skills” as well. The NationalAcademy of Engineering (NAE) in two reports [1],[ 2] stresses the need for engineers to possessleadership abilities. The former emphasized engineering graduates “must understand theprinciples of leadership and be able to practice them in growing proportions as their careersadvance.”Fundamental engineering, very applied and hands-on, is a stated need by industry. The ASMEVision 2030 [3] states that the problems that mechanical engineers work on
geographic location.Introduction The advancement of technology has profound impacts to our daily activities andexperiences. Most people would agree that technological change has had a significant influenceon the way we teach and learn in past couple decades. Distance Education, Distance Learning orHybrid Learning has become a more demanding practice in academia as indicated in research.Accordingly, 29.7% of all graduate and undergraduate students have taken at least one distanceeducation course. [1] It not only provides learning opportunities for learners from distant regions,but educators also see the potential to increase communication among a group of scholarswithout physically travelling a great distance and creates a borderless virtual
. Over 80% ofthe energy used worldwide comes from the finite nonrenewable sources and this is supposed toincrease significantly in coming years. According to U.S. Energy Information Administration'sInternational Energy Outlook 2017, world’s energy consumption is expected to increase by 48%between year 2015 and 2040.A fluid power system [1] transforms available form of energy to mechanical energy through theuse of a fluid media. It also deals with transmission and control of forces and motion using apressurized fluid. In general, a fluid power system, specifically hydraulics system is a cost-effective solution of problems requiring high power density and large reversible force or torque inan application. It is also easy to control and can be
physical and mathematical principles. In addition, laterproblems tend to include more narrative and extraneous details, which force the learner toimagine the problem’s context and filter through the textual description to construct the analysisproblem. Ostensibly, this sequence helps build the learner’s ability to analyze real worldengineering problems and design solutions. However, the text and diagrams of a book oftencannot accurately represent the look, complexity, and flow of real-world problems, nor can theyaccount for the inherent ambiguity and alternative design pathways of solutions [1]. Alsoinherent in the design of such textbook problems is the fact that they are intended to support thedidactic, lecture-based method that is commonly
interactive. The simulation was shown to 33working engineers, some of whom were taking a continuing professional development class onfired heaters. It was also shown to 19 engineering students to see if their feedback differed fromthe working engineers. A survey was given after each participant viewed the simulation. Theresults of the survey are reported here.IntroductionThe use of virtual reality has been growing rapidly as the costs of hardware and softwarecontinue to decline, mostly driven by the gaming industry [1]. VR is well known for its use inairplane simulators where conditions can be simulated that pilots rarely and hopefully neverencounter while flying planes full of passengers. However, if those conditions should arise, thepilots are
University incollaboration with Bay de Noc Community College. [1] This software was developedspecifically for incorporation into an academic curriculum to give institutions an opportunity tooffer training in situations where robots cannot be afforded, or to augment training in limitedaccess scenarios.This paper will explore the implementation of the “RobotRun” software into an existing roboticscourse as a “Virtual Lab” component. This “Virtual Lab” is then run in parallel with lecture, anda hands-on lab, reinforcing weekly concepts. The course “Programming Industrial Robots” isoffered as an elective, and as course two of a four course robotics concentration for the ElectricalEngineering Technology (EET), and Mechatronics Engineering Technology (MCET
. Dr. Freuler earned his Bachelor of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (1974), his B.S. in Computer and In- formation Science (1974), his M.S. in Aeronautical Engineering (1974), and his Ph.D. in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (1991) all from The Ohio State University. c American Society for Engineering Education, 2019 Visibly Random Grouping Applied to First-Semester EngineeringIntroductionThis complete evidence-based practice paper is based on visibly random grouping (VRG). Thistechnique, introduced in the mathematics education literature in 2014, has been shown to have avariety of benefits [1] [2]. While there may not have been sufficient time for this technique to bea
progress. In the past, when using the aboveexamples (and many others in different classes), students have demonstrated a clearerunderstanding of difficult concepts. Even though this was not an official assessment, based onsimilar experience that was gained and assessed by the author multiple times in other engineeringrelated subjects (Control Systems, Digital Signal Processing, Computer Algorithms, Statics, andPhysics), it is believed that the approach has a great potential.1 Introduction This paper focuses on introducing three concepts in calculus: Chain Rule, Product Ruleand Quotient Rule by linking them to daily analogy-based experiences. The examples are meantto help in developing intuition and basic comprehension of the material
improvements is provided.Introduction and BackgroundUniversities and engineering schools across the United States are developing a new sense ofpurpose in the field of electric power engineering which is bolstered by an invigorating jobmarket. This industry is being driven by aging workforce demographics and a need for newinnovations [1]. Recently, universities are being offered government funding for modernizededucational programs and research activities with electric power being at the forefront of arevolutionary period of advancement. As an example of this resurgence, the University ofPittsburgh has developed an electric power program over the past several years (starting in 2007)in collaboration with industry, government, and other constituents to
lead tostudents choosing a career path that they eventually discover is unfulfilling. Indeed, three of theauthors on this paper took industry positions they later discovered were deeply at odds with theirpersonal values. A recent study of engineering graduates highlighted the importance of aligningpersonal goals of helping people with engineering careers [1]. For respondents that had leftengineering as a career, 40% indicated they were dissatisfied with service elements of their jobs.To address these concerns, we have incorporated the idea of vocation into one of our educationaloutcomes for our Integrated Engineering program at the University of San Diego. We aim to trainstudents who have developed a critical awareness of their personal
retain global leadership inscience and technology [1]. As of 2017, the 300,000 degrees awarded annually are “only afraction” of the needed STEM degrees [2]. As has been noted by others [e.g.3, 4], one desirableapproach to addressing the U.S. need for additional engineering graduates is to focus efforts onrecruiting and retaining women and underrepresented groups into engineering. Accordingly,researchers have been exploring ways to draw more women and underrepresented minorities intoSTEM and have found that degree flexibility, greater integration of multiple disciplines,authentic learning challenges, and dynamic and collaborative approaches to teaching andlearning are all critical to making increases [2]. While not simple, making changes to
After receiving our purchased mini generator via the postal mail, it was very apparent that the device was meant for water hoses and needed a significant amount of pressure to get the turbine spinning. No matter what faucet was used, the turbine would not spin and could not generate a voltage due to the small hole at the nozzle of theFigure 1: Generator components device. As a result, when 3D parts were
provides research opportunities to K-12 STEM teachers who serve economically disadvantaged students.The teachers who work with these populations are often the most unprepared for teaching engineering and thus can most benefit fromthe experience and impact their students. The program objectives consist of the following: 1) Use nanotechnology researchexperiences focused on water sustainability to enhance teacher content knowledge; 2) Improve the quality of secondary Science,Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education through the development of student-centered lessons and activities; 3)Create a cadre of teacher leaders; and 4) Disseminate NEWT RET outcomes broadly by creating a network of teachers that areactively learning about
action, the participants and theirrelationships, and the discourses needed for participation as well as any other mediational meansnecessary for performing those actions. To conclude, we present key recurring themes evident inthe early data. Agency is the originating and continuing motivation. It is realized throughconfronting challenging problems, participating in “hands-on” doing in response, and producingtangible outcomes. Through involvement, these women experience community and understandboth failure and commitment as opportunity and necessity, respectively. Finally, they experiencebecoming an engineer.IntroductionIn “Women in Engineering: A Review of the 2014 Literature,” Meiksins et al. [1] echo the“familiar explanations for why there are
onthe class and learning outcomes. Specific research questions were: 1) What knowledge of patentsand intellectual property protections have been retained from the class? 2) What role did theclass patent system have on student learning outcomes related to the purpose and mechanics ofpatents? and 3) What role did the class patent system have on student experience in the class and,especially, the design project? A post-class student survey instrument was developed, andrequests to complete the online survey were sent via email to all students who had taken thecourse while the class patent system was in place. This group covers the last two academic years,and the response rate to the survey was high at 53%. The lead finding of this work is
obviously not found what in engineering brings them joy [1]. Evenstudents graduating with jobs or who will attend graduate school exhibit some apprehension as towhat the future will bring. No matter what pathway students follow, the question facing bothstudents and faculty is “what skills do engineering students really need for the workplace andlife?” It is the desire of all faculty and universities to insure students are ready for graduationand prepared for that next chapter in life. Engineering programs are partially responsible toprovide the needed skills so that students will be successful upon graduation. This challengedoes require periodic review [2]. Are universities and engineering programs doing enough?With limited time and resources, are
. David also does public engagement with science and technology work with government agencies such as NASA, DOE, and NOAA. c American Society for Engineering Education, 2019What are they talking about? Depth of engineering student socio-technical thinkingin a technical engineering courseDr. Natasha Andrade, University of MarylandDr. David Tomblin, University of MarylandAbstract In the last decade, there have been several efforts from engineering faculty to includesocial justice and socio-technical thinking in the engineering curriculum. For example, Leydensand Lucena report several examples of courses at different universities that aim to make socialjustice more visible in the engineering curriculum 1
[10,11].The purpose of this study is to unpack the elements that engineering students attribute to theirunderstanding of innovation. In addition, we utilize these understandings to provide a typologyfor educators and researchers interested in identifying how to prepare or teach students to learnabout innovation. More specifically, we ask: 1. What distinct aspects of innovation do engineering students report learning about during substantial innovation project experiences? 2. How do these aspects of innovation map to a typology of innovation understanding among engineering students?Literature ReviewInnovation is a complex phenomenon that has been described in a variety of ways across avariety of contexts [2–4,12–14]. In part, this