Collection

2001 Annual Conference

Authors

Joan A. Burtner

Liberal Arts(CLA) students must successfully complete a Senior Capstone course prior to graduation. Schoolof Engineering (SoE) students may apply credit in a Senior Capstone course towards theirHumanities/Social Science requirement. The SCP course that most closely fit my vision for thenew course was SCP 451 (Self and World: A Case Approach to Issues of Choice andResponsibility). The director of the senior capstone program authorized me to develop SCP 451.003 asScience, Technology and Society. When Mercer switched to the semester system, the coursewas renamed Engineering, Technology and Society to better reflect the course content. Themain mission of SCP 451.003 is to encourage effective intellectual communication betweenengineering and

Collection

2001 Annual Conference

Authors

Sarah Lewis; Renate Fruchter

environmentto work through open-ended problems of a building project with ill-defined goals andemergent constraints. A variety of support tools scaffold students learning as they worknthrough the problem: a web-based team work space hosts assignments, shared documents, and promptedn discussions to shape the teams design process; weekly class meetings provide students access to a "master builder" who addressesn issues as they arise and keeps the process moving forward; presentations of iterations to the class provide teams with feedback from multiplen perspectives; Mentors bring outside resources and alternative perspectives to the design process; and ongoing surveys about the course experience encourage students to reflect on

Collection

2001 Annual Conference

Authors

Ron Eglash; Larry Kagan; Gary Gabriele; Frances Bronet; David Hess

varying complexity, and to work individually or in teams toproduce innovative design solutions that reflect this “genius for integration.The PDI program was begun with the incoming class of the Fall 98 semester and we have taughtthe first 6 design studios of the sequence. This paper describes the curriculum design for PDI andour experiences teaching some of these first studios. Page 6.811.2Proceedings of the 2001 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & ExpositionCopyright © 2001, American Society for Engineering EducationTHE BASICS OF PDIThe institutional and administrative infrastructure for the PDI program is a dual

Collection

2001 Annual Conference

Authors

Thomas Stanford; Michael Aherne; Duane D. Dunlap; Mel Mendelson; Donald Keating

regional industries and government must continuously develop their innovative capacity(intellectual property) to stay competitive and sustain economic growth. Graduate educationmust reflect this change, understand the new relationships between customer needs, directedscientific research, and engineering/technology leadership. For the U.S. to sustain globalcompetitiveness, traditional graduate studies must undergo educational reform. The three broadmandates for this collaborative effort are: • To create new models of needs-driven, professionally oriented graduate education through the master and doctoral levels that better support engineering and technology innovation. • To involve industry and government as key partners in

Collection

2001 Annual Conference

Authors

Martha Wilson

1998 in order to make national and college-wide comparisons, as UMD participated inthe pilot survey in 1998. Other questions reflect the interests of the IE Department, and allfaculty provided feedback and input for the survey. All questions were rated on a 5-point Likertscale, and higher scores indicate a greater degree of an affirmative response than a lower score.The responses to most questions ranged from “Not at All” to “Very Much”, although some useddifferent descriptors, shown in the appendix.The survey was administered to five IE classes in order to capture the responses of students whoare freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Of the 133 students enrolled in the program, 91were surveyed. Of these 91, 80 were males and 11 were

Collection

2001 Annual Conference

Authors

Karen Williams; James Hedrick

of techniques such as PowerPoint, overheads, and role-playing.These presentations are peer reviewed with results tabulated by faculty and counselors and sharedwith the students.D. Reflection paper: This is a two page individually written paper which includes a personalassessment of what the student has gained by participating in the workshop. Students are asked tosummarize their experiences by describing what they learned, what was new to them, what theyliked and disliked, and what they enjoyed most. Reflection papers are graded by the director andcoordinator of the workshop.VI. Program AssessmentAll aspects of the workshop are evaluated each year by faculty, counselors, and students. At theend of the workshop, students are asked to complete

Collection

2001 Annual Conference

Authors

Lisa Lebduska; David DiBiasio

that would actively engage students in thechemical engineering profession while increasing their understanding of speaking and writing asproblem-solving tools and means of reflection rather than isolated activities for recordingengineered solutions. We used several methods of evaluation to evaluate the success of thiscourse, including focus groups conducted by an external evaluator; an external evaluation of theportfolios, and our own assessment of the students’ portfolios.BackgroundMost first-year students have little in-depth knowledge of their chosen profession. This isparticularly true in engineering since there are few high school experiences connected to theprofession. Most chemical engineering departments do not offer core courses until

Conference Session

Are We Losing Our Minds (2470)

Collection

2001 Annual Conference

Authors

Stephanie Sanford; Kenneth Williamson

cycles, the specific activities chosen to seek maximuminvolvement and reflection by the students, selected readings, and assessment techniquesthat will be used to determine the effectiveness of meeting the learning objectives.IntroductionLike many predominantly white higher education institutions, Oregon State Universityfaces significant challenges in diversifying the faculty and student population, as well asproviding students with compelling learning experiences around issues of diversity anddifference. In what might be called a common scenario across campuses in the U.S., thedecision at OSU to include courses on difference, power, and discrimination in the corecurriculum had its origins in student unrest and demands for a more welcoming

Collection

2001 Annual Conference

Authors

Vinay Dayal; Jerald Vogel; Rebecca Sidler Kellogg

engineering content and learning from a traditional on-site learningenvironment to a web-based environment.As part of this experiment, two of the modules from the design sequence in the AerospaceEngineering and Engineering Mechanics program were converted to web-based delivery.Modules entitled ‘Design Modeling with Parameterization for Optimization’, and ‘FiniteElement Analysis for Practicing Engineers’, were selected since they are both important topicsfor practicing engineers in industry and popular with the students.Re-thinking the Content for the On-line EnvironmentThe goals for the project were carefully developed prior to delving into the details of the work.The instructors examined the content and reflected on their experiences, both in the

Collection

2001 Annual Conference

Authors

Richard Upchurch; Judith Sims-Knight

from the learningtask. Fourth, feedback apparently plays a minor role in actual classroom situations. Fifth,teaching students to provide their own feedback and explanation is an effective alternative.These findings suggest that instructors may be more effective if they put less effort into gradingand commenting on students’ products and more effort into structuring their courses to helpstudents learn how to assess and reflect on their state of learning themselves. Two specificpedagogical strategies are suggested. First, giving students more assignments than the instructorcould grade or comment on will provide more of the kinds of practice they need to developexpertise. Second, helping students to learn how to assess and reflect on their state

Collection

2001 Annual Conference

Authors

Kristen Larson; Jeffrey Newcomer

often to make sure that you are still headed in theright direction. Still, without any experience how does a new faculty member know whichapproach is best?The reality is that there is no substitute for experience. Once you get a job you need to bewilling to walk away from it if it becomes clear that it is not a good match for you. This ideamay sound appalling to anyone who has just landed his or her first tenure track job, but the truthis that this job is not the only opportunity available. Certainly, prospective faculty membersmust be reflective and understand their own priorities when submitting applications, but eventhis does not guarantee success. New faculty members must take a hard look at themselves, theirdesires, and their situation

Collection

2001 Annual Conference

Authors

William Jordan; Debbie Silver; Bill B. Elmore

secondary students were evaluated for appropriateness. Strengths andlimitations of a variety of teaching methods were considered. These methods and practices werethen modeled and assessed through the conduct of the course in classroom, laboratory, and in-service experiences. Methodologies included lecture, small group activities, whole groupactivities, individual participation, reflective writing, alternative assessments, cooperativelearning, demonstrations, and technology-based assignments.3. Course Objectives The objectives of our course included:• Discussing the importance of teaching problem solving in today’s elementary/secondary schools.• Enabling our students to display an increased capacity for solving problems

Collection

2001 Annual Conference

Authors

Claudio Campana; Jun Kondo; Devdas Shetty

manufacturing operations is beneficial in modern production systems. As anexample, on-line surface roughness and on-line geometry evaluators are discussed.4 Surface Roughness Measurement: Background And TheoryFor roughness evaluation, the most widely used instrument is the surface profilometer withcontact stylus. This technique requires contact with the surface of the sample. As such, if surfaceroughness measurement of a critical component is required, a non-contact approach is preferred.Many researchers have contributed to the development of reliable non-contact techniques usingoptical methods. Among these, Marx and Vorburger [3] have developed a non-contact method ofmeasuring the specular and scattered reflection of a laser beam off the surface of a

Collection

2001 Annual Conference

Authors

Matthew Ohland; Cynthia Finelli

from the first freshman term. We found in thiscase no difference among peer ratings based on either gender or race, but the small sample sizeof female and minority students in the Kettering student population makes further investigationnecessary to confirm this result. Supporting the observed trend, we note that the students in theKettering population are rated more uniformly in teamwork contribution by their peers than inthe previously cited studies—there is less score variation. We hypothesize that the required co-operative education experience of the Kettering students has improved their teamwork skills andthat the peer ratings correctly reflect this. Further study is proposed to evaluate this hypothesis.I. IntroductionEstablishing

Collection

2001 Annual Conference

Authors

Robert Marine; Carol Colbeck; Alberto Cabrera

, American Society for Engineering EducationThe internal consistency reliabilities (alpha) of the four factors, “teamwork and lifelong learning,“design,” “professional development,’ and “engineering science fundamentals,” were quite high,ranging from .75 to .88. Cronbach’s alpha ranges from 0 to 1, reflects the homogeneity of itemscomprising a scale, and indicates the extent to which the component items are measuring thesame underlying construct. When the alpha value is close to 1, a factor’s items are highlyconsistent with each other. Similarly, the factor loadings (λ), determined through varimaxrotation are also quite high. The higher the loadings, measured on a scale of -1 to 1, the moreeach individual item is correlated -- shares something in

Collection

2001 Annual Conference

Authors

Neil Quinn; Tim Healy

outcomes, some good, some bad, that were not anticipated by their developers. Thereaction to such unanticipated consequences cannot be to pursue no new technologies, asthat would have its own unforeseen consequences. Nor is it acceptable to blindly pursuenew ideas with no reflection on their possible implications. An effective society mustfind a middle ground. It is critically important that we reflect on issues that include:stakeholders (present and future), possible consequences that are difficult to anticipate,ethical concerns, and others. Engineers are often in a unique position to address some ofthese issues.Santa Clara University has introduced a new set of courses designed to help engineersreflect on such matters so that they can make a

Collection

2001 Annual Conference

Authors

Todd Giorgio; Sean P. Brophy

understanding the domainknowledge. Finally, community centeredness focuses on methods to help students leverage theirpeers as a learning resource and to have instructors use these networks. This includes smallgroup problem solving and in class discussion. Also, community centeredness can include theeffects of the university and professional societies in facilitating students’ growth as engineers.These principles have beenencapsulated in a softwaretemplate called STAR.Legacythat we have used to helporganize our design of a learningmodule for biotechnology.Figure 1 shows the main screenof the STAR.Legacy framework(where STAR stands forSoftware Technology for Actionand Reflection) represented as a“Learning Cycle” (or an inquirycycle for learning). The

Collection

2001 Annual Conference

Authors

Ron Pigott; Bill Karr

such as expectedoutcomes, implementation strategy, assessment methods, and performance criteria. As a resultof that initial effort, six department goals were identified and adopted by the department faculty(Figure 1). The goals were then addressed by goal-based objectives to reflect the intentions of thedepartment and to coordinate the department’s goals with the then existing criteria of the TAC ofABET. The objectives were divided into two groups with problem solving, communications,technical knowledge, computer skills, business knowledge, professional attributes, and timemanagement objectives related to the development of students within the department as one set,and research and publications objectives related to the department’s

Collection

2001 Annual Conference

Authors

Thomas Harmon; Glenn Burks; Eva Baker; Gregory Chung

everyday event. 2 Proposition appropriate. Reflects scientific tracer test MEASURES understanding, but has limited explanatory power. ground water flow 3 Proposition is abstract and explanatory. Reflects most tracer test MEASURES highly principled, scientific understanding. dispersionIn addition, a subset of students’ posttest knowledge map, which we defined as “newpropositions,” was derived from the posttest knowledge map. To operationalize this map, weremoved all propositions from the posttest map that also existed in the pretest. This newproposition map was then scored using the expert criterion (content) method and the propositionquality rating method

Collection

2001 Annual Conference

Authors

FYI Team Members; Adrian Cloete

the Quality Improvement Systems Thinking heuristic has been used to improve industrialproduction by viewing the problem as part of a layer of a system, our First Year Initiative facultysaw greater value in three other Heuristics Page 6.884.5 Proceedings of the 2001 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright  2001, American Society for Engineering Education ½ D.R. Woods -- McMaster Five-Point Strategy ½ Define, Explore, Plan, Act, Reflect C.H. Kepner & B.B. Tregoe -- The Rational Manager ½ Situation Analysis, Problem Analysis

Collection

2001 Annual Conference

Authors

Stephen McKnight; Gilead Tadmor; E Everbach; William E. Cole; Michael Ruane

language of continuing utility, but withoutthe complications of variable typing and declarations. Early laboratory experiences includeprogramming loops to cause stepper motors to move a flag, control through photocell feedback,and measuring acoustic velocity and distance by appropriately thresholding a reflected acousticsignal. As a final project, students write a program to control the movement of an ultrasonicsensor to image a metal target encased in an opaque gelatin package.1. IntroductionSince computation is ubiquitous in engineering practice, a freshman course in computation orcomputer programming is a feature of most engineering curricula. These courses are often lessthan satisfactory for both the students and the instructor. While contact

Collection

2001 Annual Conference

Authors

Wei-Chiang Lin; Mark A. Mackanos; E. Duco Jansen; Anita Mahadevan-Jansen; Sean P. Brophy

- Photochemical Therapy mechanical processes effects/pressures Fluorescence Raman Diagnosis Reflectance Figure 1: Block diagram illustrating the interrelationships between optical properties and ensuing therapeutic, diagnostic and sensing applications.At the very core of all the interactions shown in figure 1 lies a thorough understanding of theinteraction of light with biological matter governed by the optical properties. The levels ofabsorption

Collection

2001 Annual Conference

Authors

Lynn Mayo; Eric Hansberry

examples have been carefullyselected to follow an industrial format and introduce students to naval architectural andmechanical design. Curriculum development reflects educational research to ensure maximumbenefit to students. By incorporating marine design into the curriculum, students gainfundamental engineering skills, an exposure to on-the-job industrial methodology, anunderstanding of interdisciplinary work, improved communication skills, and invaluableknowledge that will aid them in making informed decisions about their future careers.IntroductionA comprehensive introductory graphics course should take regional industries into considerationduring curriculum development. Engineering graphics is a fundamental communication mediumused by

Collection

2001 Annual Conference

Authors

William Strenth

, Internet courseexisted as well as which course would be offered will be reviewed. Further discussion willfocus on the methods of delivery and their technical problems as they related to theimplementation of the course work. With the adoption of Electronic Blackboard at Pittsburg State University in thespring, 2000 semester, a foundation was established upon which to build an Internet-basedcourse. The format of the course material for “Civil Construction” made it possible fortwenty-two students to participate. Lessons learned as well as suggestions forimplementation and improvement will be provided. Although numerous obstacles in thedelivery of such a course occurred, the benefits far outweigh the difficulties. Reflection of theexperiences

Collection

2001 Annual Conference

Authors

William Miller; Stephen Lombardo; Christa Weisbrook; Patrick Tebbe

"physical" activity (active) or byinstrospection (reflective). Understanding can come from putting individual steps togethersequentially or looking at the whole picture globally. Finally organization can be doneinductively or deductively.Studies of engineering students using the Felder learning inventory suggest that the majorityprefer the active form of processing information. Many thermodynamic and fluid mechanicscourses are organized along traditional methods of lecture and note taking, supplemented byproblem solution. Typical courses are therefore organized for a passive reflective learningenvironment. In terms of processing information, engineering students have been shown to relyheavily on visual input. Since most classes are organized along

Collection

2001 Annual Conference

Authors

Thomas S. Kuhaneck; Frank Noonan

,contextual by working from prototypical representations of the decision-makingproblems that are encountered within the CG’s Marine Safety Offices. From theserepresentations the concepts, methodology and tools for effective risk-based decision-making are introduced. The result is an integration of material from decision/riskanalysis, information technology and stakeholder negotiations. (The views presented inthis paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official view of theUnited States Coast Guard.)1. IntroductionThe C.G. is charged with the stewardship of marine safety and marine environmentalprotection for the United States. Although the nation’s marine transportation systemoperates at a level of safety unparalleled in

Collection

2001 Annual Conference

Authors

William Marcy; Marion Hagler; Juan Ramirez; Jose Tamborero

Texas Tech University. This difference reflects theProceedings of the 2001 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition © 2001,American Society for Engineering Educationneed for intensive language study in Spanish by students who begin their studies at Texas TechUniversity so that they will feel more capable of pursuing their studies where the instruction is inSpanish. Indeed, incorporation of such a feature into the program was one of the topicsdiscussed when William M. Marcy, Dean of Engineering at Texas Tech University, visited JoseTamborero, Dean of Engineering at the University of the Americas in Puebla, Mexico, duringMarch 2000. During this visit, the two engineering deans agreed they wished to continue

Collection

2001 Annual Conference

Authors

John Darnell

lumped into the “A”category. Grades should reflect the ability of the student, the standing of the student in the class,the student’s mastery of the material, and the ability of the instructor to teach the material.Grades should reflect differences between students and individual student efforts. At Harvard,82 percent of undergraduate students receive honor grades.15 Is this really a distinction ofstudents, or is this an attempt to assure that a higher percent of the graduates is accepted intograduate or professional programs? One weakness of grade inflation is that above averagestudents are lumped together and there is less distinction among those students than among theones that do make Cs and below. Employers are generally more interested in

Collection

2001 Annual Conference

Authors

William Callen; Steven Usselman

since its inception over a century ago. Changing technology, ofcourse, has provided much of the impetus for reform. But so, too, has the continually evolving context in whichengineers operate. The realms of business and government have simply refused to stand still. Those responsible fortraining engineers, if they wished to put their graduates in position to do meaningful work in the world, have had torevisit the curriculum from time to time with an eye toward preparing students to function in novel workingarrangements that reflect both changing economic circumstances and evolving social values. Perhaps never has this been so true than at present. Today’s engineering graduates enter a work environment fardifferent from the one their

Collection

2001 Annual Conference

Authors

Beatrice Isaacs; Donald Leone; Mohammad Saleh Keshawarz; David Pines

institutions have actually incorporated GIS in theircurriculum. A survey of the department heads through the ASCE dhc (department head council)server showed that only about 10 percent of the responding departments had a required course intheir civil engineering curriculum.The CEE Department at the University of Hartford embarked upon a major revision of itscurriculum, known as the CE 2000, in the late 90s. The Department early on recognized thatGIS was rapidly expanding into most areas of Civil Engineering and that it was necessary torevise the Civil Engineering program to reflect the impact of the new GIS technology on theprofession. This led to CE 2000, our extensively revised curriculum tailored to meets the needsof graduating engineers in the