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Session 1360

A Computer-Based Interactive Package for ABET Self-Study

Thomas A. Costello, Carl L. Griffis, Lalit Verma University of Arkansas

Abstract

In preparation for an accreditation visit in 2002, the faculty of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at the University of Arkansas assembled an interactive package designed to provide easy access to the needed information. The Self-Study document, including our educational objectives, assessment plans for program outcomes, copies of all course syllabi, examples of student work, and examples of our feedback loops in action have been organized on a computer CD. Each electronic document has links to all the other pertinent documents on the CD. The packaging is intended to increase the efficiency and accuracy of the accreditation review.

Introduction

Accreditation is a process of peer review through which we (society, the engineering profession, the university) give assurance to our students and their families that we provide a high quality educational program for engineering students. In the USA, the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) developed “Criteria 2000”, its most recent set of accreditation protocols (ABET, 2001a). Through Criteria 2000, institutions have the opportunity to apply innovative and creative ideas to insure that their engineering programs are not only outstanding, but will continuously improve.

In 1996, the College of Engineering at the University of Arkansas was one of the first units to be reviewed under the new system during the pilot phase. In studying the new criteria, it was clear that things had changed dramatically. Under the old protocols, program administrators and faculty simply presented evidence that students in their program had been exposed to appropriate and sufficient inputs. The new criteria, however, asked that we demonstrate that these inputs resulted in appropriate outputs from the students. In addition, they asked that we present our plans for continuing to evaluate and improve our program. In response, the faculty of the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department embraced the concept of a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) program and wrote our “Volume 2000” (a planning document required by ABET) accordingly.

While the new process provides more opportunities for innovations, and has led to more enthusiastic participation on the part of our faculty, the need for documenting a wide variety of activities has been challenging. Thus, we have focused not only on improvements to our program, but also on improvements in our CQI plan, and in methods

“Proceedings of the 2002 American Society of Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright 2002, American Society of Engineering Education”

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Griffis, C. (2002, June), A Computer Based Interactive Package For Abet Self Study Paper presented at 2002 Annual Conference, Montreal, Canada. 10.18260/1-2--10340