Conference Session

Student Engagement and Motivation

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Elizabeth Howard, Illinois Institute of Technology; Daniel Ferguson, Illinois Institute of Technology; Margaret Huyck, Illinois Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Educational Research and Methods

AC 2008-1414: STIMULATING AND DEVELOPING REFLECTIVE THINKING INUNDERGRADUATE STUDENTSElizabeth Howard, Illinois Institute of Technology Elizabeth Howard is a second-year Ph.D. candidate in the Industrial/Organizational Psychology program at the Illinois Institute of Technology. She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2006. She is working with the IPRO program as a research associate.Daniel Ferguson, Illinois Institute of Technology Daniel M. Ferguson, MBA, MSIE, is a Senior Lecturer in the IIT Stuart School of Business, and Associate Director for Research and Operations of the Interprofessional (IPRO) program. He was

Conference Session

Engineering Economy -- The Introductory Course

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Joseph Hartman, University of Florida

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Economy

AC 2008-267: DOES CLASS SIZE MATTER? REFLECTIONS ON TEACHINGENGINEERING ECONOMY TO SMALL AND LARGE CLASSESJoseph Hartman, University of Florida Joseph Hartman received his PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Georgia Tech in 1996. He has served as Director of the Engineering Economy Division of ASEE and is currently Editor of The Engineering Economist. Page 13.449.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2008 Does Class Size Matter? Reflections on Teaching Engineering Economy to Small and Large ClassesAbstractHaving recently transitioned from a small, private university

Conference Session

Continuous Improvement & Assessment of ET Programs

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jung Oh, Kansas State University-Salina; Beverlee Kissick, Kansas State University-Salina

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

Ph.D. in Educational Technology Library/Media from Kansas State University. Page 13.1243.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2008 The journey to build a 21st century faculty-librarian relationship: A retrospective case study reflected with criteria 2 e and j“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”-Henry Ford1AbstractIf we expect students to function effectively on teams and to have a respect for diversity and aknowledge of contemporary professional, societal and global issues (TAC of ABET ProgramOutcomes criteria 2 e and 2 j), how and where do we

Conference Session

AEC Education: Instructional Strategies and Innovation

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Suining Ding, Indiana University-Purdue University-Fort Wayne (Eng)

Tagged Divisions

Architectural

is to design a singlefamily house for Habitat for Humanity with an ADA accessible bath and kitchen. Data fromstudents’ reflective journals is used to draw a descriptive map of the social-psychological stagesthat occur during service-learning. In addition, textual analysis reveals that students progressthrough three identifiable stages of development: exciting but lost, comfortable, and engagement.The recommendations were made to the body of knowledge of service learning. To increase theeffectiveness of service-learning outcomes, faculty members must understand these specificcognitive processes that accompany community-based learning.Statement of PurposeThis paper addresses the social-psychological aspects of students’ participation in the

Conference Session

Improving Technical Understanding of All Americans

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

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

Tagged Divisions

Technological Literacy Constituent Committee

– those thatdiscussed fostering critical thinking at the level of a single class (or at most as aninterplay between two classes) – two distinct themes emerged: improving criticalthinking through writing for reflection, and improving critical thinking through problem-based learning.WRITING FOR REFLECTIONWriting for reflection promotes critical thinking by challenging students to make andarticulate value judgments about data, problems, and possible solutions. Furthermore, thewriting process, approached systematically, can be used to support and develop problem-solving skills.Hierarchical Classification Of Critical and Reflective ThinkingOne theme that emerged from the recent literature was assessing student writing aboutopen-ended problems using a

Conference Session

NSF Grantees Poster Session

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Rocio Chavela Guerra, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Monica Cox, Purdue University; Heidi Diefes-Dux, Purdue University

Learn” framework. The course, “EffectiveTeaching of Engineering: Linking Theory to Practice,” was first implemented in fall2007, at a large Midwestern Research I university to provide engineering graduateteaching assistants an opportunity to extend their teaching professional development. Thecourse learning objectives include developing knowledge of effective teaching practices,establishing an engineering “community of teachers” during interactions withengineering faculty and peers, producing personal deliverables that allow reflection uponrelationships between pedagogy and engineering, and receiving formative feedback aboutteaching within engineering courses.Some of the topics in this one-credit graduate level seminar included “How PeopleLearn

Conference Session

Curriculum Development and Applications

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jana Whittington, Purdue University Calumet; Kim Nankivell, Purdue University Calumet; Joy Colwell, Purdue University Calumet

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Design Graphics

Experiential Learning: A Handbook of Best Practice for Educators andTrainers: This type of learning occurs when students participate in some activity, reflect upon the activity, use their analytical skills to derive some useful insight from the experience, and then incorporate their new understanding(s) into their daily lives. What experiential learning does best is capture the interest and involvement of the participants, but most importantly it contributes significantly to the transfer of learning.Instructional InterventionTo implement EL learning in a degree program, faculty need to be made aware of theexperiential criteria so they can design an appropriate and effective EL course. Faculty at ourinstitution gain

Conference Session

Blurring the Boundary between Content Knowledge and Professional Knowledge

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Verna Fitzsimmons, Kent State University - Kent; Stephane Booth, Kent State University - Kent

Tagged Divisions

Liberal Education

History and assessment of student learning outcomes in higher education. Page 13.841.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2008 Professional Education and General Education Join Forces?AbstractThe rapid pace at which technology is changing makes it imperative that students developthe skills that will enable them to be proactive and reflective rather than reactive. Thiswill require them as professionals and responsible citizens to integrate the contentknowledge that they have learned in their professional education with the abilities valuedin general education and by employers. These include critical thinking

Conference Session

Assessing Design Coursework

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Michael Plumley, US Coast Guard Academy; Vincent Wilczynski, U.S. Coast Guard Academy

Tagged Divisions

Design in Engineering Education

importance to accreditation in recent years. For years, the US Coast Guard AcademyMechanical Engineering program has showcased its best work and reflected on design in thecurriculum by using a design portfolio inspired by those used by artists. The portfolio provides asnapshot of one year in the life of the program by providing examples of design work completedfor each level of the curriculum, along with reflections of educators and students. It can be usedto address many audiences including administrators, institutional benefactors, politicians,industry representatives, students, teachers, and parents. A proven template is presented whichcan easily be adopted by other authors. The template was used for portfolios presented duringtwo ABET

Conference Session

Educating Graduates in Engineering for a Flat World

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mary McCormick, Tufts University; Chris Swan, Tufts University; Douglas Matson, Tufts University

Tagged Divisions

International

evaluation of the educational benefits of service-learning projects byfocusing on one case study. The most recent endeavor of the Tufts University Engineers WithoutBorders (EWB) Chapter involved a Green Building Initiative in Ecuador. During the summer of2007, six students accompanied by a professor embarked on a month-long project in HaciendaPicalqui and El Cristal, Ecuador. During the project, students evaluated their own skill sets byfilling out Pre-Travel, Post Travel, and Post-Post Travel surveys and reflected daily on events,health and progress. Comparisons of the Pre and Post-Travel surveys verify substantialadvancement in leadership, teamwork, communication and problem solving skills; however, dueto the debatable reliability of self

Conference Session

Student Engagement and Motivation

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jonathan Stolk, Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering; John Geddes, Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering; Mark Somerville, Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering; Robert Martello, Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering

Tagged Divisions

Educational Research and Methods

education, if we are to survive, is the facilitation of change and learning. The only man who is educated is the man who has learned how to learn; the man who has learned how to adapt and change; the man who has realized that no knowledge is secure, that only the 7 process of seeking knowledge gives a basis for security.”Education literature includes extensive discussion of the qualities and competencies of effectiveself-directed learners, and of student attitudes toward self-directed learning.8,9,10 For example,Candy describes self-directed learners as individuals who are curious, motivated, disciplined,reflective, analytical, persistent, responsible, flexible

Conference Session

Assessment of Engineering Technology Programs

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Virendra Varma, Missouri Western State University; Tina Varma, University of Central Missouri

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

-portfolio preparation, such as the initialreview during the sophomore year, mid-level review during the junior year, and the final reviewduring the senior year. This paper describes the design considerations in the creation of good e-portfolio in the context of reflection and assessment of the effectiveness of a course or aneducational program, and the design considerations that go into the creation of a good portfolio.The framework of e-portfolios depends on the end user of the portfolio.IntroductionElectronic portfolios (e-portfolios) are ‘in’ and the traditional paper-based portfolios are ‘out.’This is due to the internet age, and the web-based technology has made it all possible. Both theAcademia and industry are the beneficiaries of the

Conference Session

AEC Education: Instructional Strategies and Innovation

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

David Cowan, Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis

Tagged Divisions

Architectural

AC 2008-1739: A CLIENT-BASED ASSESSMENT TOOL FOR SERVICELEARNING PROJECTSDavid Cowan, Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis Page 13.14.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2008 A Client-Based Assessment Tool for Architectural Technology Service Learning ProjectsAbstractService learning is a natural fit for the study of architecture1,2 as the practice ofarchitecture engages communities all over the world in order to solve problems inthe built environment. Much of this civic engagement is often directed towardsstudent learning in the form of reflection papers or exit surveys, and the literatureon service learning attests to this2.There is

Conference Session

Design: Content and Context

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mieke Schuurman, Pennsylvania State University; Christine B. Masters, Pennsylvania State University; Peggy Van Meter, Pennsylvania State University; Gül Okudan, Pennsylvania State University

Tagged Divisions

Educational Research and Methods

, for example byhaving them document and reflect on their learning experiences. Increasingly, electronicportfolios (e-portfolios) are gaining attention as a solid assessment tool as well as a pedagogicaltool. As a pedagogical tool, e-portfolios serve to communicate high expectations and supportlearner-centered instruction. We hypothesize that documentation of engineering design learningin an e-portfolio will enhance students’ learning.The empirical literature supports the belief that active learning supports student outcomes 3, 4. Page 13.537.2Students who are engaged in active learning are more likely to progress through stages ofacademic

Conference Session

Institutional and Curricular Reform

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Arunkumar Pennathur, University of Texas-El Paso; Louis Everett, University of Texas-El Paso

Tagged Divisions

Educational Research and Methods

including students, faculty, and other stake-holderssuch as employers, the tools used in the learning enterprise including traditional and moderntechnology tools, and the environment for learning. Using the framework presented, variablesassociated with the task, the players, the tools, and the environment can be visualized andanalyzed in 3-dimensional space using multidimensional scaling and neural network methods.One aspect of the framework, reflections from an engineering faculty member, is analyzed todemonstrate how strategic planning can be facilitated through assessment and analysis with theframework.1. Model for strategic assessment planningAdapted from the Task, Operator, Machine, Environment (TOME) framework from the humanfactors

Conference Session

Instructional Methods and Tools in BME

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mia Markey, University of Texas at Austin; Kathy Schmidt, University of Texas at Austin

Tagged Divisions

Biomedical

instructional technologies including the coursemanagement system, BlackBoard®, hyperlinked PowerPoint® notes, Classroom PerformanceSystem (CPS) technology, and “real-world” MATLAB®-intensive problems. The goal of thisstudy is to determine if students with different learning styles (e.g., active vs. reflective learners)have different usage patterns of and derive different benefits from the instructional technologies.We also compare the learning styles of this sample of biomedical engineering students to theexisting literature and explore if there are relationships between factors such as learning style,grades and graduate vs. undergraduate status. We present an analysis of Learning StylesInventory data, survey data on instructional technology

Conference Session

Beyond Individual Ethics: Engineering in Context

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Donna Riley, Smith College

Tagged Divisions

Liberal Education

of ethics problems. (f,h,j) • Lead insightful discussions on science, technology, and ethics topics. (f,g,h,j) • Conduct original research into a topic in science, technology, and ethics. (f,h,i,j) • Effectively communicate in oral and written forms the findings of original research on science, technology and ethics. (g) • Explain the complex relationships among science, technology, and ethics in current social contexts, and how these contexts inform and influence social choices about science, technology, and ethics. (f,h,j) • Act creatively and reflectively in the world to address science, technology, and ethics. (f,i) • Assess and direct your own learning, and reflect on that process. (i)These map, as noted above

Conference Session

Thermodynamics, Fluids and Heat Transfer - II

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

David Benson, Kettering University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

, manystudents quickly find themselves so far behind in the reading that they can no longer catch up. A reading log system where content responsibility is progressively shifted from theinstructor’s questions to student identification and reflection has been developed andimplemented in junior-level Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics courses to address several ofthe issues associated with student use of the textbook. The goal of the reading log is to improvestudent use of resource material and to provide opportunities for students to develop skills inreading scientific material. Reflective questioning, guided identification of key concepts,probing questions and cyclic problems are some of the tools that are used to stimulate student useof the

Conference Session

Innovative Programs - Structure, Delivery, Evaluation

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Dirk Schaefer, Georgia Institute of Technology; Tristan Utschig, Georgia Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Continuing Professional Development

the types of models are explained in terms of duration, incorporation withpromotion and tenure, and what components of educational practice are included in the model.Next, the various characteristics of individual models are documented in terms of content andpracticum components, contexts for implementation, and how the models work within theirvarious contexts. Finally, due to the inherently political and emotional nature of considering theuse of these models with the US, a brief reflection on experiences and lessons learned from thesemodels is presented as relevant to US higher education.1. IntroductionFew would disagree with the idea that educating the next generation of leaders in both academiaand industry is at the heart of what higher

Conference Session

Engineering Professional Development for K12 Teachers

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jodi Cullum, Utah State University; Christine Hailey, Utah State University; Daniel Householder, Utah State University; Chris Merrill, Illinois State University; James Dorward, Utah State University

Tagged Divisions

K-12 & Pre-College Engineering

year-long PD experience.Given the exploratory nature of these programs, only a small number of teachers could beselected for participation. The five sites delivered professional development to a total of 115teachers, 24 of whom were female and 17 of whom represented ethnic minorities (6 werefemale, ethnic minorities).In the summer of 2007, a one-week workshop involving professional developmentproviders, exemplary teachers who had experienced one of the NCETE site-specific PDprograms, beginning teachers, high school students and evaluators reflected on theirexperiences in an attempt establish the characteristics of an effective PD program for highschool teachers who are seeking to infuse engineering design concepts into STEMclassroom. This

Conference Session

Innovative Curriculum in Electrical Engineering Technology

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ghassan Ibrahim, Bloomsburg University; Jon Zeisler, Bloomsburg University; Mike Kutch, Bloomsburg University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

-reader) RF link. These systems are widely utilized in retail stores and manufacturingenvironments, where fluorescent lights are commonly used. One widely-used system isthe passive UHF 915 MHz RFID system. This system utilizes the radar backscatterprinciple to communicate back and forth between the reader and the tag, (see figure 1).The tag reflects part of the incident RF power, radiated by the reader, at the scatteraperture of the transponder antenna. The reflected power is modulated with transponderdata, thus the term backscatter modulation3. It was found that the electronic ballastcontrolled fluorescent lamps can produce a similar backscatter signals to that of the tag-to-reader signal, and if this signal falls within the bandwidth of the

Conference Session

Global Engineering Education Initiatives

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Lauren Alexander, IAESTE United States; Cheryl Matherly, University of Tulsa; Mary Besterfield-Sacre, University of Pittsburgh; Larry Shuman, University of Pittsburgh

Tagged Divisions

International

schools of engineering to provide an international experience for theirstudents, in part because they can easily be introduced into a relatively inflexible engineeringcurriculum compared to traditional study abroad experiences. Experiential education, a modelfirst articulated by John Dewey who developed theories of education rooted in and transformedby experience, is a term commonly applied to such “hands on” experiences as cooperativeeducation, internships, outdoor education, organizational development and training, and servicelearning7. In an experiential education program, students participate in a carefully chosenexperience and then engage in reflection, critical analysis, and synthesis of related information8.In Kolb’s model of experiential

Conference Session

Engineering and Math Potpouri

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John Schmeelk, Virginia Commonwealth University; Jean Hodges, VCU\Qatar Campus

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

expand upon rotations, reflections, andtranslations. In addition, the course begins with mathematical formulas that speak to the issue ofgeometric shapes, followed by an intense development of the Fibonacci sequence and several of Page 13.1184.3its properties illustrating the utility of the sequence in the “real world.” In the current study,students were shown some past student projects submitted as partial fulfillment in the previousMATH 131 courses to introduce each new topic visually and were required to complete a muchmore comprehensive project component (hence the term Implementing Techniques for Project-Directed Mathematics). The students

Conference Session

Service Courses for Non-Engineers

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

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

Tagged Divisions

Technological Literacy Constituent Committee

Page 13.745.2Source Web Design (www.oswd.org)3 as a starting point for their work. By customizing an openThe views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of the United States Military Academyor the United States Army.source design and integrating their own content, our students produce truly amazing web portalsin a reasonable amount of time.Another central issue that we address in the introductory module is intellectual property rights incyberspace. Before our students begin work on their web portals, they participate in a lessonwith an adjunct professor who is a lawyer specializing in electronic media copyrights and theconcept of Fair Use.4 Then, throughout the process of

Conference Session

Innovations in Laboratory Studies

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Helen McNally, Purdue University, West Lafayette

Tagged Divisions

Division Experimentation & Lab-Oriented Studies

partnerships were organized from highest to lowest based on theoverall lab scores and the functionality of the receiver. Factors such as habitual absenteeism,tardiness or events such as problems between partners were identified and those pairs wereeliminated from the study. The questionnaires were then rearranged by lab partners.Commonalities and differences between partners were first identified. In particular, the degreesof active vs. reflective, sensing vs. intuitive, visual vs. verbal and sequential vs. global learninghad to be reviewed. Each partnership was then described based on the learning styles presentand the degree to which these learning styles were found.ResultsThis study is in it’s infancy with follow on studies planned to increase the

Conference Session

Survivor: The First Few Years

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Elizabeth Creamer, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Tonya Saddler, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Margaret Layne, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Tagged Divisions

New Engineering Educators

recognized as one of the strongest influences on academic scientists’ and engineers’productivity1 and satisfaction2. Perceptions of climate reflect policies, practices, and interactionsat both a local level, as within a lab or department, and at more global level of the college oruniversity. The Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education (COACHE), anemerging voice from Harvard University about faculty careers, measures climate to include (a)personal and professional interactions with colleagues, (b) opportunities for collaboration, (c)sense of fit, (d) intellectual vitality of the senior faculty, (e) fairness of evaluation, (f) equitabletreatment, and (g) support for professional development. Perceptions of climate at the more locallevel

Conference Session

FPD9 - First Year Learning & Assessment

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Gary Halada, State University of New York at Stony Brook

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

instructors and students,must include specific examples related to the skill set the course is intended to provide. Ibelieve that student responses to these skill set-specific examples also reflect students’ beliefin their abilities to learn and solve problems in areas beyond traditional engineeringapplications. 2. Course Design to enhance student self-belief in learning ability:There are many references regarding the value of problem-based, active learning environmentsfor improvement of student comprehension and engagement.9,10,11 The results of a recent studyby Braxton, et al., suggest that development of an active learning approach in courses directlyenhances student perception of learning gains, which in turn helps students to view

Conference Session

Improving the Teaching Skills of Graduate Students

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Susan Montgomery, University of Michigan

Tagged Divisions

Graduate Studies

these panels.Use of student journalsAn important element in teaching is the opportunity to reflect on the teaching experience.Participants are given an opportunity for reflection through required journals at various points inthe class. The five required journal assignments are: Journal 1 - Reflection on outstanding college professors - Name four adjectives that you feel define an outstanding college professor. Thinking back to outstanding college professors you've encountered in the past, cite at least one specific example of actions that exemplify each of the four adjectives. Journal 2 – Learning theories - Choose the learning theory/model (Felder Soloman, Myers

Conference Session

Accreditation and Assessment Concerns in Civil Engineering Education

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Thuy Nguyen, University of Texas at Austin; Kathy Schmidt, University of Texas at Austin; William O'Brien, University of Texas at Austin

Tagged Divisions

Civil Engineering

Technology). This literacy variable is concerned with learners’ awareness of various available technologies that could be used to improve their work as well as their social life and self-improvement. It also reflects the willingness to explore and adopt technology. Mature students become aware of state-of-the-art technologies relevant to their professional domain and personal needs. They are also receptive to change in their existing ways of doing things as well as to the adoption and adaptation of new technologies for better work performance. • Literacy 2: Operational Skills. This literacy variable reflects the understanding of learners about the purposes and functionality of various technologies, the

Conference Session

Project-Based Learning in ECE Education

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Saeed Khan, Kansas State University-Salina; Greory Spaulding, Kansas State University-Salina

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

destructively interfere with one another.In designing the first section of the large antenna, we followed the design guidelines ofthe standard cantenna2. With the exception of the first section (smallest of sections), allother sections carry multiple modes and the number of modes in any section isproportional to the diameter. The large number of modes in the last section allows a fielddistribution that permits highly directive radiation patterns. Our version consists of sixdifferent cylindrical sections connected together by six 3-inch 34˚ flared or conical Page 13.270.3sections (Figure 2). Flared sections were used to minimize reflections at the junctions.The