Conference Session

Thermodynamics, Fluids and Heat Transfer I

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Devshikha Bose, Boise State University; Krishna Pakala, Boise State University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

success,as indicated by parameters like higher course pass rates, higher Grade Point Averages, creditaccumulation, retention, and graduation rates11. Skills can be taught which are consistent acrossprograms, as well as customized to fit individual courses12. E-portfolios can support assessmentby identifying goals and providing a repository for organizing, storing, and sharing records. It isinstructionally valuable in that students can connect their own work with the broader programexpectations, thus self-evaluating their status. Students can engage in reflection, which maydevelop their critical thinking skills.This study is a follow-up to a previous study made by the researchers13 (see Bose & Pakala

Conference Session

Entrepreneurship & Engineering Innovation Division – Tactical Approaches to Entrepreneurship Education

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Robert Gettens, Western New England University; Harlan E Spotts Jr., Western New England University; José Antonio Riofrío, Western New England University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Entrepreneurship & Engineering Innovation

understand the appropriate behaviors to observe and questions toask. The process then moves to observing the client’s pain point experience. Observing is not Page 26.1208.2enough, students need to at least talk with the client and, if possible, experience the pain pointthemselves. All through this process students are framing and re-framing their problemstatements as they collect additional information. The Thinktank concludes with a final revisionand refinement of the problem statement that reflects their empathetic understanding of theirclient’s pain point and preparation for the next phase of the process, ideation.Why is an entrepreneurial

Conference Session

Assessment and Outcomes: ERM Roundtable

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Deborah M. Grzybowski, Ohio State University; John T. Demel, Ohio State University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Educational Research and Methods

honorsstudents. Preliminary analysis show a student population with normal distributions on the active-reflective, sensing-intuitive, and sequential-global Felder Learning Styles scales and anextremely skewed visual-verbal distribution favoring visual learners with less than 5% of thetotal population self-rated as moderate to strong verbal learners. We report on a comparison ofthe Felder Learning Styles scales, assignment preparation time, and course performance. Theseresults provide insights into significant predictors of student success based on learning style andcurriculum type. The ultimate goal is to provide appropriate preparatory course materials to

Conference Session

Studying Engineering Education Research & Institutions

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Corey Owen, University of Saskatchewan; Debora Rolfes, University of Saskatchewan

Tagged Divisions

Educational Research and Methods, Liberal Education/Engineering & Society

approach to teaching professional communication, andintroduce our larger research project, which aims to assess the effectiveness of our program.Finally, we shall briefly reflect on whether the small communication class is really as inefficientas some have suggested. The purpose of this study is to develop the theoretical groundwork fora larger study we are just beginning to conduct on the efficacy of our professionalcommunication program. Using the investigative tools of narrative research and discourseanalysis, we hope ultimately to determine the degree to which our program, which maintainssmall classes and focuses on cultivating students’ rhetorical judgment, effectively graftsprofessional communication onto our students’ burgeoning

Conference Session

ECCD International Outreach

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mustafa G. Guvench, University of Southern Maine; Philip W Swanson, University of Southern Maine; Kevin Michael Wacker, University of Southern Maine

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

bent, positioned and held in a frame to reflect the lightat the focal point where the multi-junction cell is fixed. The system follows the celestial path ofthe sun within 1.6 degree.This project was completed as a senior capstone design project utilizing all of the educationgained thus far in the engineering curriculum along with a large amount of self-directed learning.Every stage in the design and development of the project was an educational test that had to beovercome. Discussion on the short comings, challenges, and the use of the education received toresolve these issues are presented.1. IntroductionAccess to power namely, heat, and electricity is ubiquitous in developed nations. Much of thedeveloping world however, still lacks access to

Conference Session

Technical Session: Pedagogical Strategies and Classroom Techniques for Teaching Assistants

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sarah Ilkhanipour Rooney, University of Pennsylvania; Julie Schafer McGurk, University of Pennsylvania; Emily R. Elliott, University of Pennsylvania; Ursula J. Williams, University of Pennsylvania; Leann Dourte Segan, University of Pennsylvania

Tagged Divisions

Student

thesegoals, 3) facilitating positive student group dynamics, 4) providing student feedback, and 5)reflection. It is important to note that this is a collaborative process between the courseinstructor and TA, so the steps in this system involve both parties.BackgroundThe “Active Learning in STEM Courses” mini-course is a series of four 2-hour sessions led bytwo staff members of the University of Pennsylvania’s CTL. The objective of this mini-course isto introduce graduate students and post-docs to active learning techniques and how to createactivities that reinforce and strengthen course goals. This objective is different from the “SAIL(Structured Active In-class Learning) TA Training” (also led by the same two staff members ofthe CTL), which aims to

Conference Session

Evaluation: Exploring the Impact of Summer Programs on K-12 Youth.

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Emma Koller, University of St. Thomas; Lauren M. Van Beek, University of St. Thomas; Deborah Besser P.E., University of St. Thomas; Siddika Selcen Guzey, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Annmarie Thomas, University of St. Thomas

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

frustrating.”Basic STEPS AssessmentDraw an EngineerAssessment of the 2014 Basic STEPS Camp included participant pre and post surveys,participant engineering notebooks, and analysis of daily reflections. Participant engagementwith the e-textiles showed the most electrifying measurements. Girls were asked before andafter their STEPS experience to complete an activity called “Draw an Engineer.”4 In this activitythe girls first described what engineering is and then what engineers do. They were then asked todraw an engineer. The drawing in particular is meant to capture stereotypes that students mayhave towards engineering4. Girls at STEPS were given this activity before and after camp toevaluate how their perception of what engineers do changed. Due to

Conference Session

ERM Potpourri

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Amy Elizabeth Bumbaco, University of Florida; Elliot P. Douglas, University of Florida

Tagged Divisions

Educational Research and Methods

engineering studentswas that critical thinking was often similar or equivalent to problem solving. However, Englishstudents saw critical thinking as a way of forming opinions, forming and defending an argument,and making connections. Common themes for both groups included aspects such as broadeningideas, needing deeper understanding, and needing reflection and metacognition. Both groupsutilized the concepts common throughout their major classes as the physical representation ofcritical thinking. The embodiment of course concepts as critical thinking may be supported bythe idea of engineering identity and self-efficacy. Students may choose engineering, and stick toit, because they relate to the concepts and to how engineers think. However, faculty

Conference Session

Communication Across the Divisions II: Communication and Transdisciplinary Pedagogies

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jeffrey J. Evans, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Amy S. Van Epps, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Michael Thomas Smith; Sorin Adam Matei, Purdue University Polytechnic Institute; Esteban Garcia

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Civil Engineering, Liberal Education/Engineering & Society, Mechanical Engineering, Technological and Engineering Literacy/Philosophy of Engineering

Narratives aims to provide students with a toolkit for successfulcommunication in contemporary society and the workplace. This integrated course experience invitesstudents to reflect and use diverse ways of communication in the digital era. During one semester,participants were introduced to oral, written, visual and auditory techniques of communication, anddocumented through various digital media artifacts. Page 26.127.3Our value proposition that artistic storytelling can help students think, communicate and aid in theiremotional wellbeing is backed by a long history of scholarship. Such seminal articles as K. Egan’s“Memory, Imagination

Conference Session

K-12 & Pre- College Engineering Division Poster Session

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Bradley Bowen, North Dakota State University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

cohort of teacher participants. Table 2 reports the results forthe statistical analysis comparing the current cohort’s actual and intended use of various STEMteaching techniques. The researcher focused on these eight items because they are related tocommunication and reflection, which are critical components of STEM learning, and seem to bea recurring them in regards to one of the most important lessons learned from the workexperience. Page 26.1459.4 Table 2. Statistical analysis comparing current cohort’s current (pre) and intended (post) frequency of STEM teaching techniques Question Survey N

Conference Session

Online Teaching

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Susan L. Miertschin, University of Houston (CoT); Carole E. Goodson, University of Houston (CoT); Barbara Louise Stewart, University of Houston

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

have low TM scores than have strong TM scores.• Among older students (at least 31 years of age), more have strong TM scores than low TM scores. In other age categories, there appears to be a more nearly equal division between low and strong TM scores.• Among the students with the highest GPA, 66% have strong TM scores while 34% have low TM scores. Among students with the lowest GPA, 57% have strong TM scores while 43% have low TM scores. The unexpected direction of difference at the lower end of the GPA scale perhaps reflects a wider range of TM score values and/or the very small n for this GPA category.• Among students who are not employed and those who are employed part-time, higher proportions

Conference Session

Communication and Literacy

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Christina Kay White, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Lori Breslow, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Daniel E. Hastings, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Educational Research and Methods

complementary, and both are necessary if engineers are to helpsolve the most serious problems our societies face [3-4]. This call for engineering education toposition itself so students can meet modern challenges was laid out by the leaders of the NationalAcademy of Engineering (NAE) in their influential reports, The Engineer of 2020 [5-6]. There isnow a need to reflect on how engineering education has positively changed in the decade sincethose reports, and to consider what still needs to be tackled.Our research aligns with one of the key recommendations of The Engineer of 2020: to developengineers whose communication skills will allow them to become successful professionals and,who, in turn, will drive technological and social change. Specifically

Conference Session

Mathematics Division Technical Session 2

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Emre Tokgoz, Quinnipiac University

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

step-by-step instructions on how to perform the operation... Process: When an action is repeated and the individual reflects upon it, he or shecan make an internal mental construction called a process which the individual can think ofas performing the same kind of action, but no longer with the need of external stimuli... Object: An object is constructed from a process when the individual becomes awareof the process as a totality and realizes that transformations can act on it... Schema: Individuals collection of actions, processes, objects, and other schemaswhich are linked by some general principles to form a framework in individual’s mind... In APOS theory, concepts are constructed on different concepts and schemas

Conference Session

Engineering Economics New Frontiers

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Simon Thomas Ghanat P.E., The Citadel; Kenneth Brannan, The Citadel; Ronald W. Welch, The Citadel; Kevin C Bower P.E., The Citadel

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Economy

essential to incorporate teaching and learningmethods that adequately address the different learning styles in the classroom, and to developways to promote student motivation6 and engagement. As stated in the literature, engineeringstudents are predominantly active, visual, and sensing learner types 6- 9. However, most teachingmethods in engineering are geared toward reflective, verbal, and intuitive learner types6. This isthe exact opposite of the suggestions made from multiple learning style studies stated in theliterature 6-9. Teaching in engineering is generally more focused on theory, verbal, and passivelearning, as opposed to deductive learning supported by Felder as the preferred learning methodusing practical applications, visual

Collection

2015 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Ryan Richards; Abdullah Konak; Michael R. Bartolacci; Mahdi Nasereddin

method of Promax withKaiser Normalization. We did not use the questionnaire items if they had a coefficient lowerSpring 2015 Mid-Atlantic ASEE Conference, April 10-11, 2015 Villanova Universitythan 0.5. The pattern matrix of the seven extracted latent variables and the correspondingquestionnaire items are given in Table 3. The meanings of the extracted latent variables are asfollows: ● Motivation (MOT): The motivation latent variable measures overall student motivation to complete the activity. ● Interaction (ACT): The interaction latent variable is a measure of the extent to which students interacted with one another during the activity. Note that the students in the IW group were also allowed to interact. ● Reflection

Collection

2015 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Sunil Dehipawala; Vazgen Shekoyan; Raul Armendariz; Chantale Damas; Todd Holden; David Lieberman; Tak Cheung

mirroring, horizontal mirroring, mirroring on the diagonal tiltedleft, and mirroring on the diagonal tilted right as the hardest. Participants received extensivetraining on the task 4 weeks prior to the experimental session. The experimental session finishedwith an anatomical scan of the brain using fMRI. The data showed a negative brain activation–intelligence relationship in frontal brain regions in the high fluid intelligence group, in contraryto the average fluid intelligence IQ group. The study concluded that better behavioralperformance in the geometric analogies task would reflect a lower demand for executivemonitoring in the high fluid intelligence IQ individuals. The study also concluded that flexiblymodulating the extent of regional

Collection

2015 Pacific Southwest Section Meeting

Authors

Monica Palomo P.E.

Conference Copyright © 2015, American Society for Engineering Education 287had little knowledge regarding water quality and the potential contaminants that could be presentin tasteless and odorless waters.Student reflections. The engineering students reflected upon their experiences surveying the CalPoly community, and after analyzing the collected data. Sample statements as written in theengineering reports are shown below.“Questions were mostly answered among agree, neutral, or disagree, showing that Cal Polystudents were not fully confident in their answers.”“The combination of our interviews and survey data showed that

Conference Session

Research to Practice: STRAND 4 K-12 Engineering Resources: Best Practices in Curriculum Design (Part 2)

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ayora Berry, Boston University; Don DeRosa, Boston University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

architects of change, (b) provide a professional learning vehicle foreducators to reflect on practices and develop content knowledge, (c) inspire a sense of ownershipin curriculum decision-making among teachers, and (d) use an instructional approach that iscoherent with teachers’ interests and professional goals. This preliminary study evaluates theeffects of a CDB professional development program, the PTC STEM Certificate Program, ontwenty-six K-12 teachers who participated in 62 hours of engineering education professionaldevelopment over a six month period. Participants learned about industry and educationengineering concepts, tested engineering curricula, collaborated with K-12 educators andindustry professionals, and developed project-based

Conference Session

Supporting Diversity through Co-curricular Programming

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Katy Luchini-Colbry, Michigan State University; Julie M.W. Rojewski, Michigan State University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Graduate Studies

among graduate students of the range of choices, opportunities, and challenges that women must navigate, and of the impact of culture, community, and context on women, whether in their personal lives, in higher education, or in the workplace. 2. Encourage and support the development of community among graduate students.The first goal is more specific, and reflects a desire to promote Michigan State University’s corevalue of inclusiveness.4 Graduate students participating in this program were encouraged toreflect on the unique choices and challenges posed to women in STEM fields, and to considertheir own goals and measures of success. The second goal reflects broader efforts within theCollege of Engineering and Michigan State

Conference Session

Non-Canonical Canons of Engineering Ethics

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Donna M Riley, Virginia Tech; Yanna Lambrinidou, Virginia Tech

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Ethics, Liberal Education/Engineering & Society, Technological and Engineering Literacy/Philosophy of Engineering

, emotional, and self-reflective livesof engineers themselves that fail to “fit into” prevailing professional paradigms of thought andpractice.Cannons refers then not only to military annihilation but also to the systematic drowning out ofvoices/perspectives that diverge from, challenge, or oppose the engineering status quo. Wepropose that these voices and perspectives are essential for the development of technically andmorally robust engineering research and practice. In fact, they are the very thing that wouldenable engineering to truly hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public, andrealize philosopher Charles Harris’ proposed ideal of bettering “the material basis of humanwell-being or quality of life.”3This paper engages in a

Conference Session

Assessing Social Responsibility & Sustainability

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Justin L Hess, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Sarah Aileen Brownell, Rochester Institute of Technology; Richard A House, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology; Alexander T. Dale, Engineers for a Sustainable World

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Educational Research and Methods, Engineering Ethics, Liberal Education/Engineering & Society

implement the SSDS and illustrate the findings when usingthis survey pre- and post- course with students who participated in WPSI across threeuniversities during the Fall of 2014. Results from these components are triangulated withstudents’ end-of-semester written reflections and participating instructors’ course experiences.This qualitative component allowed us to consider how WPSI might be improved in future Page 26.508.3iterations, as well as broader implications of the SSDS and WPSI for engineering educationcourses and curriculum.For anonymity, throughout this paper we will refer to course offerings as Course 1, 2, and 3. Thisframing puts the

Conference Session

First-year Programs Division Technical Session 4: The Best of the All: FPD Best Papers

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John K. Estell, Ohio Northern University; David Reeping, Ohio Northern University

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

on a four-stage cycle shown in Figure 1 that, while it can beentered into at any stage, is explained as follows. Concrete Experience (Facts) Active Reflective Experimentation Observation (Futures) (Feelings) Abstract Conceptualization (Findings) FIGURE 1. KOLB’S CYCLE OF EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING.First

Conference Session

Examining Social Ties and Networks

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Megan Kenny Feister, Purdue University; Carla B. Zoltowski, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Patrice Marie Buzzanell, Purdue University, West Lafayette; David Torres, Purdue University; William C. Oakes, Purdue University, West Lafayette

Tagged Divisions

Educational Research and Methods

each other (and to themselves).”3 Thesedefinitions reflect the complex social and communicative processes that need to be unraveled tooffer a complete understanding. While student design contexts differ in important ways fromprofessional practice,4-5 the program-based engineering education context represents animportant space for novice engineers to learn about and develop understandings that will impacttheir future engagement in design. In the context of design, there are many different values, such as innovation or a primaryconcern for safety, that guide design decisions and processes and can impact how designers thinkabout the ethical issues related to their designs and the implications of their “everyday” ethicaldecisions. This is

Conference Session

Engineering Ethics Division Technical Session 4

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Shiyu Liu, Pennsylvania State University; Sarah E Zappe, Pennsylvania State University, University Park; Irene B. Mena, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; Thomas A. Litzinger, Pennsylvania State University, University Park; Kirsten S Hochstedt, Penn State University; Tricia Bertram Gallant, Rady School of Management, UC San Diego

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Ethics

they implemented the new instructionalplans in the semester following the workshop. Three major themes emerged from inductiveanalysis of interview transcripts. First, all participants reported that the workshop helped thembecome more aware of the importance of incorporating academic integrity into their teaching andwere more reflective on how to effectively discuss this critical issue with their students. Second,after the workshop, participants made several changes in their courses and applied a variety ofstrategies to incorporate academic integrity into four aspects of their teaching: course syllabus,classroom discussion, assignments, and exams. Last, participants discussed several challengeswhen incorporating academic integrity into their

Conference Session

Women in Engineering Division: Pre-college Student Experiences

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Lynsey Mitchell Kissane, Ryerson University; Liping Fang, Ryerson University ; Ruth Jean Silver, Groundswell Projects

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Women in Engineering

to making it better, faster, or more efficient. • Engineers help shape the future. They use the latest science, tools, and technology to bring ideas to life. • Engineering is essential to our health, happiness, and safety. From the grandest skyscrapers to microscopic medical devices, it is impossible to imagine life without engineering.These and other recommendations to “change the conversation” or “embrace a broader vision” ofengineering bespeak a realization that the profession is not well understood or reflective of thesociety it serves. Organizations in the engineering community have tested female-inclusiveapplications and strategies in outreach and awareness efforts with limited success. The authenticadult (i.e. Baby

Conference Session

Women in Engineering Division: Student Issues as Related to Culture

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Julie Rojewski, Michigan State University; Katy Luchini-Colbry, Michigan State University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Women in Engineering

as a frameworkfor promoting professional development and community building for graduate students.Building on the themes of the book, this program sought to promote reflection amongparticipants about the choices and actions that women can take to position themselves forsuccess—and encouraged exploration of students’ personal vision of success. Results of pre-and post-tests, along with observational data gathered by the facilitators, indicated that studentswere concerned largely by two topics: concerns about how to balance their career ambition andtheir goals for a fulfilling personal life (whatever that may be), and how to have positive andbeneficial relationship with mentors or advisors. Students also shared their challenges andfrustration

Conference Session

First-year Programs Division Technical Session 12: Teaching and Advising Students in that Critical First Year

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Iryna Ashby, Purdue University; Marisa Exter, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

requirements, the process for obtaining eachbadge included at least the following: introduction to the new topic (e.g., participation and animpromptu classroom presentation or discussion, hands-on activity in class); reflections on thedesign and development of the project and on their own learning; application of new materials;and finally, the final project itself accompanied by the narrative/reflection and artifact(s). Whilesome projects were to be completed independently, for others, students were encouraged orrequired to work with peers. In addition, some projects could be in part used to meet sub-competencies across multiple badges. Students completed projects on their own timeframe and inthe order they preferred. While there were soft deadlines

Conference Session

Utilizing Digital Technologies in Classroom and Distance Learning in ET Programs

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Usman Ghani, DeVry University, Addison, Illinois; Ahmed S. Khan, DeVry University, Addison

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

feedback, and provoking reflection. Packet-Tracer provides scaffolding inthe form of corrective feedback. According to Jaehnig and Miller the types of corrective Page 26.581.6feedbacks commonly used are:24 1. Knowledge-of-Response (KOR), which simply indicates that the learner’s response is correct or incorrect. 2. Answer-Until-Correct (AUC), it requires learner’s to remain on the same test item until the correct answer is selected. 3. Knowledge-of-correct-response (KCR), which identifies the correct response i.e. it directs the student to the correct responseAccording to Moreno15 “The importance of feedback in promoting

Conference Session

NSF Grantees’ Poster Session

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Carla B. Zoltowski, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Patrice Marie Buzzanell, Purdue University, West Lafayette; William C. Oakes, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Megan Kenny Feister, Purdue University; David Torres, Purdue University

Tagged Topics

NSF Grantees Poster Session

, and specifically engineering design, is increasingly understood to be a socialactivity, engineering education’s understanding of ethics needs to reflect this developingawareness. Within engineering and design teams, engineering educators are concerned not onlywith how individual students develop ethically, but also how everyday ethical decision-makingemerges during team interactions and becomes integrated in design solutions. Furthermore, theseethical decisions often do not present themselves as traditional dilemmas, but are issues that areconfronted in the everyday process of design, and are influenced by team members’ cultural anddisciplinary backgrounds and the ethical climates of the team and the organization.In considering engineering

Conference Session

Best of Computers in Education

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Borjana Mikic, Smith College; Al Rudnitsky, Smith College; Annick Jade Dewald; Anjali Karina Desai, Smith College

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

temperature differential? Students are encouragedto generate and post their ideas and theories about the topic and build directly on the ideas ofothers. This discourse is supported through a computer- based asynchronous collaborativelearning environment such as Knowledge Forum (KF)10. The workspace preserves an on-goingrecord of the discourse so that participants can return to earlier ideas for reflection, synthesis, andrefinement. In the process, students develop a questioning attitude, learn to identify personal andcollective gaps in knowledge and understanding, become self-directed learners who are capableof bringing in new sources of authoritative information, viewing such information from multipleperspectives in support of theory-development