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Conceptual Model: Situation of of Key Influencers That Contribute to Transformative Learning in an Electrical and Computer Engineering Undergraduate Capstone Design Project Course

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Conference

2019 ASEE PNW Section Conference

Location

Corvallis, Oregon

Publication Date

March 20, 2019

Start Date

March 20, 2019

End Date

March 22, 2019

DOI

10.18260/1-2--31871

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/31871

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Paper Authors

biography

Rachael E Cate Oregon State University

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Rachael Cate:
Dr. Rachael Cate received her MA in rhetoric and composition from Oregon State University in 2011 and her Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership and Research from Oregon State University in 2016. She joined the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Oregon State University as a member of the professional faculty in 2016. In this role, she provides engineering communications instruction to students as they progress through the senior capstone project and develop relationships with project stakeholders in industry. She also supports engineering communications program development, research, and implementation. In addition to her Ph. D. research interests in service learning, program design, and qualitative research, she is also collaborating on research in the areas of communications-related success factors of recent engineering graduates in industry and effective tools for instructors of integrated engineering and communications courses.

Donald Heer:
Donald Heer received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Computer Engineering from Oregon State University in 2001 and 2003, respectively. In 2003, Mr. Heer joined the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Oregon State University as a member of the professional faculty. In this role, he coordinates the TekBots® program development and implementation. In addition to his research interests in creating innovative engineering education experiences, he is also performing his Ph.D. research in the area of integrated sensor systems using nanotechnology.

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Donald Heer Oregon State University

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Abstract

Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) design instructors and course developers at Oregon State University are conducting a longitudinal study to investigate the efficacy of Evidence-Based Instructional Practices (EBIPs) for supporting students' learning. In this study, the key research question is: What EBIPs best facilitate transformative learning experiences for ECE design students? For this mixed-methods action research study, the researchers will apply EBIPs in the form of programmatic interventions and collect both quantitative and qualitative empirical data to assess results. The first year of the study was devoted to literature review and data collection to identify EBIPs from prior research, guide the focus of educational interventions, and survey a “control” group. This poster presents the results of the extensive review of EBIPs in case studies and transformative education theory. Transformative learning theory is identified as a foundational framework for defining and measuring success in engineering education, and key transformative practices have been identified to guide this study and its interventions. The EBIPs presented here provide engagement opportunities that advance professional integrity and efficacy through collaborative design, project management, and critical reflection. They include critical awareness of culture, professional identity development, participation in communities of mentoring and learning, holistic skill integration through reflection, and the development of professional integrity through affective awareness. Based on this review, the researchers have also created a conceptual model (pictured here), that situates the key influencers for transformative education as they may be applied within a design engineering learning program.

Cate, R. E., & Heer, D. (2019, March), Conceptual Model: Situation of of Key Influencers That Contribute to Transformative Learning in an Electrical and Computer Engineering Undergraduate Capstone Design Project Course Paper presented at 2019 ASEE PNW Section Conference, Corvallis, Oregon. 10.18260/1-2--31871

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